Next month's Mining Health and Safety Conference in Sudbury will have an eye on diversity and equity.
The event hosted by Workplace Safety North (WSN) will take place April 16-19 at the Holiday Inn. The conference is themed “Inclusive mines, a safer future,” and is expected to emphasize the importance of diversity and equity in ensuring safer work environments, said WSN.
Plans are that more than 300 delegates will convene for the event, which serves as a platform for learning, knowledge sharing, and networking among industry professionals, said the release.
WSN said numerous speakers will cover topics ranging from inclusive leadership and multi-generational workplaces to diversity, technology, and how to improve safety culture.
The event formally gets underway on April 17 with keynote speaker Tina Varughese talking about inclusive leadership, said the release. Varughese is expected to present fresh ideas on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
An industry panel of representatives will also discuss the latest in safety, diversity and technology developments. Other key presentation topics will include:
- High-risk hazards specific to underground work;
- Workplace well-being and mental health;
- Safety culture and management systems;
- Research and innovation;
- New and changing mining health and safety regulations;
- Emergency preparedness and mine rescue; and
- Battery electric vehicles in underground mines.
Mike Parent, the acting WSN President and CEO, remarked that mining is a vital and technically demanded industry.
“WSN has mining health and safety specialists and mine rescue officers located across Ontario to provide mine workers with industry-specific training. Our specialists provide training and services around mine ventilation, ground control, electrical-mechanical safety, rescue and recovery operations, priority hazards, and help companies assess health and safety risks and meet legislative requirements." said Parent.
He said since Sudbury has become a centre of mining safety and expertise, the conference is all about sharing that expertise to make things safer
"As Canada’s premiere mining health and safety event, the conference typically sells out each year. Once again WSN will livestream the keynote speakers for those who are not able to attend in person, including mining professionals who work around the globe," said Parent.
The Sudbury event will be emceed by Sudbury's Alicia Woods, the high-profile founder and CEO of Covergalls Workwear, said the WSN release.
The WSN event will also include a mining related trade show.
