TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The mining industry in Canada's Ontario province improved its lost-time injury rate by 17% in 2010, according to the Ontario Mining Association.

The lost-time injury rate declined to 0,5 per 200 000 hours worked, compared with a rate of 0,6 a year earlier, the OMA said, citing provincial data.

The total employee hours worked in the industry last year was around 28,6-million, by 16 200 employees, the group said.

The total medical aid frequency for the sector also improved 22%, to 4,5 per 200 000 hours worked, compared with 5,8 in 2009.

“A more dramatic improvement was made by the industry in reducing the severity of incidents. In 2010, lost work days per incident were 12, compared with 74 days in 2009 - an 84% improvement,” the OMA said.

In 2009, mining was the second-safest industry in Ontario behind education and the sector has improved its lost-time injury rate by 91% over the last 20 years.
 

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