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How important is mining to these provinces in Western Canada?
Net revenue from mining in British Columbia reached nearly $14.5 billion in both 2023 and 2024. Its deposits of metallurgical coal and molybdenum are critical for steelmaking, while copper is valuable for a host of industries, including electrification and construction.
Saskatchewan set records in 2024 for uranium and potash mining. Its uranium mines produce the highest grade of ore, which is processed into fuel rods for nuclear reactors. The province is the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash, the key ingredient in high-yield, disease-resistant fertilizer.
Yet, mining remains a high-risk profession, whether it takes place deep underground or across expansive surface operations. Workers routinely face hazards involving heavy equipment, confined spaces, unprotected edges, and unpredictable ground conditions.
As a result, mining safety BC protocols and Saskatchewan mining regulations emphasize eliminating fall hazards, improving access, and providing mine safety equipment—while accounting for the realities of remote site safety.
While their regulations differ in detail, both BC and Saskatchewan prioritize similar principles: hazard identification, engineered controls, regulatory compliance, and robust fall protection mining strategies that safeguard workers in demanding environments.
These requirements are reinforced by the broader regulations of WorkSafeBC, which mandate fall protection whenever a worker is at risk of falling 3 metres (10 ft.) or more—or even at lesser heights if injury is likely.
Fall risks in mining are varied and often hidden. Surface operations present:
Underground mines introduce their own unique risks, often in confined spaces and limited lighting:
Under the WorkSafe BC hierarchy of fall protection controls, if the hazard cannot be eliminated, “passive” (or collective) measures—such as guardrails—are the preferred method to safeguard workers for fall protection in mining. They place a barrier between the worker and the hazard, so no special equipment or training is needed.
Where guardrails are not feasible or available, “active” fall protection is required. Fall restraint lifelines restrict a worker from reaching the hazard. Fall arrest lifelines and anchors prevent a worker from hitting the surface below.
Constructed of strong, durable, corrosion-resistant galvanized steel, these modular railing systems install without welding or drilling—no sparks—to provide versatile leading edge protection throughout mining facilities.
Designed for maintenance buildings and processing plant rooftops, these modular systems feature recycled PVC counterweight bases for easy installation without penetrating the roof’s surface.
Featuring anti-slip, self-draining steps and decks, plus integrated guardrails, work access platforms are safer and more efficient than ladders. They provide secure, stable footing and an ergonomic, hands-free workspace. Platforms can be static (fixed) for permanent installation or fitted with heavy-duty, total-lock casters for station-to-station mobility.
Featuring the same anti-slip technology in platforms, stepovers allow workers to overcome obstructions (e.g., pipes, conduits, cables, hoses) and other trip hazards.
A track-and-trolley system with a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), rigid rail systems are especially effective in mines because they minimize deflection, reduce swing fall, and provide consistent fall arrest in confined spaces.
Remote mines across Western Canada face additional difficulties that make prevention, not reaction, the most effective fall protection strategy:
Modular, easy-to-deploy safety systems—passive and active—are particularly valuable in remote operations. They reduce installation time, require minimal specialized tools, and allow crews to adapt protection as mine layouts evolve.
Although British Columbia and Saskatchewan each enforce their own regulations for their vibrant mining industries, they are both intent on protecting workers in one of the most challenging and high-risk industrial environments.
By integrating compliant procedures, engineered fall-protection systems, durable mine safety equipment, and strategies tailored to remote operations, mining companies can significantly reduce risk.
Ground-based and rooftop guardrails, engineered platforms, and rigid rail lifeline systems ensure that every worker—whether on a surface catwalk or in an underground chamber—has the safest possible work environment.