Ongoing safety training at Teck

Safety has always concerned people who work in the mining industry, but Teck’s new safety training has substantially decreased reported injuries—Teck's coal operations in the Elk Valley reported the lowest number of injuries in 2011.

That’s because safety training and education never stop at Teck. Initially, new employees are required to take a full-day course on safety, but learning at Teck never stops.

“Each shift at our operations begins with a safety meeting,” said Nic Milligan, manager of community and aboriginal affairs at Teck, “and an opportunity for employees to share safety stories, tips and observations with co-workers.”

The Courageous Safety Leadership course (CSL) is completed by all of Teck’s employees; it teaches each person to practise safe working habits while they’re on site.

“Before any job, employees conduct safety assessments to ensure their work is being done to the highest degree of safety,” Milligan said.

He said CSL was introduced in 2009, and Teck has seen a positive impact on safety performance as a result. The statistics from 2011 improved by 18 per cent from the previous year.

Teck employees come from a wide range of educational backgrounds: some have a high school diploma and significant work experience, some have had training in trades and others have degrees in geology or engineering. Teck offers professional development opportunities to its entire team.