Mining Health and Safety Regulatory Amendment Proposal
Regulation Number(s):
Regulation 854
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Summary of Proposal:
The proposed changes to Regulation 854 (Mines and Mining Plants) would increase flexibility, better reflect current technology, and reduce regulatory burden, while maintaining or improving worker health and safety. If approved, the proposed amendments would:

Add, amend and/or clarify requirements related to ventilation, independently powered conveyances, equipment related to mine hoists, explosives security and storage, ladderways on surface, eye wash facilities and emergency showers, and the use of electronic devices to conduct examinations in a raise where drilling and blasting is taking place;

Implement several recommendations from the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review and Coroner's Juries, including those relating to management of change, airborne hazard management, ground control and seismic monitoring, the recording of unremedied dangers by supervisors, visual switch indicators on rail tracks, and dissipating stored energy before work is done on machines, and;

Continue to modernize regulatory requirements by revoking redundant or duplicative requirements, updating references to industry standards, and amending provisions to update terminology and/or clarify requirements.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
All ministries are subject to requirements set out in the Reducing Regulatory Costs for Business Act, 2017 (RRCBA), which came into force January 1, 2018. As part of its obligations under the RRCBA, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is conducting a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) of these proposed amendments. A RIA is a process of identifying and assessing the potential benefits and costs of proposed regulations.

It is anticipated that most of the proposed amendments outlined above would not result in any additional costs to workplaces.

Proposed changes to ventilation requirements are anticipated to result in potentially significant cost savings for underground mines.

There are not expected to be any increased costs to the public, not-for-profit sector or government as a result of these proposed amendments.

As part of this consultation, the Ministry is seeking your comments and feedback pertaining to the anticipated costs and benefits of implementing these proposed amendments. We would be particularly interested in receiving information about whether or not you agree with our assessment, as set out above, or how you think the proposed amendments would impact costs associated with: capital for equipment; training and education; maintenance of new or previously owned equipment; labour; record keeping and reporting; other operating costs; and, other administrative costs. The Ministry will consider the information provided as we develop the proposal and the associated RIA.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
21-MLTSD 012
Posting Date:
July 28, 2021
Comments Due Date:
September 15, 2021
Contact Address:
Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Health, Safety and Insurance Policy Branch
400 University Avenue, 14th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 1T7