Health and Safety Professional

We need Health and Safety Professionals to translate complex regulations into practical actions and behaviours. They promote and improve occupational health and safety by inspecting, investigating and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

What is it like to work as a Health and Safety Professional in mining?

Note: conditions vary according to employer and region.

Health and Safety Professionals visit a wide variety of workplaces within underground and open-pit sites.  They are often required to work in rough terrain, as well as obstructed or confined spaces.  They climb ladders and work at heights. While on-site, exposure to seasonal environmental conditions, extreme heat and dust, smells, noise and mechanical vibrations is possible.

Why are People Attracted to this Career?

Health and Safety Professionals are committed to the health and safety of mine workers and protection of the public. They work in a variety of workplaces and inspect different operations and processes.  They share their expertise with employees in all areas of a mine, including operators and senior management.  They compile information and communicate findings and recommendations.

Job Description

  • Explain, interpret and apply the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations and other federal and provincial legislation related to health and safety

  • Conduct risk and exposure assessment and recommend controls to eliminate or mitigate health and safety hazards in a variety of mining operations, living conditions and the use of natural resource roads

  • Assess workplaces to ensure that equipment, materials and production processes do not present a safety or health hazard to employees or to the general public

  • Conduct job hazard analysis, advise mine or mill managers and supervisors when an equipment or process is not in compliance and make recommendations for corrections

  • Investigate health and safety related complaints, hazardous chemical spills, harmful exposures and occupational disease and workplace accidents

  • Develop and maintain occupational health and safety strategies, audit management systems and policies, procedures and manuals

  • Coordinate emergency response procedures, mine rescues, firefighting and first aid crews

  • Write incident reports, notices of violations to mine or mill managers and supervisors and complete compliance and conformance checklist

  • Communicate and work with health and safety committees, workers, unions, mine management, government representatives and the public to promote safe work practices through the Internal Responsibility System

  • Select, calibrate and use technical equipment, instruments and computer applications to test work environment and retrieve information

Starting salary

$77,738.00

Top Salary

$192,886.00

Demand in Mining

1 2 3 4 5

Skill Transferability Among Other Industries

1 2 3 4 5

Success Profile

  • Interprets federal and provincial regulations

  • Implement difficult decisions, and communicate the reasons for them

  • Analytical, assertive, confident and advocate for a safe workplace

  • Respect and understanding of safety and environmental procedures, regulations and legislation

  • Organized, precise and accurate

  • Strong communication skills (verbal and written)

  • Values safety, health and a positive working environment

  • Willing to engage in continuous learning and skills development

  • Minimal supervision required and works well with others

Job Entry Requirements

Note: The requirements listed below illustrate what it takes to start the career and does not take into account on-the-job training given to new employees.

Fixed Requirements

  • Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety with eight-10 years of industry experience in health and safety, preferably in a mining or related environment

  • Knowledge and experience with mining equipment and operations

  • Knowledge and experience with federal, provincial and local mining workplace health & safety and environmental legislations, acts, rules, regulations and reporting processes and procedures

  • Valid Class 5 driver’s license

  • Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, email, presentation, database software and language of operation

  • Must pass a medical and drug test

  • Willing to work in a diverse environment

May be Required

  • Certification with the Association for Canadian Registered Safety Professionals and Diploma in the Occupational Health and Safety or relevant work experience and in-house training

  • General or enhanced screening check, including a criminal record check and, if applicable, fingerprint verification

Assets

  • Canadian Registered Safety Professional Designation

  • Willingness to relocate

  • Other languages