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November 26, 2010

Request for Proposals Issued for Medical Audit of Labrador West Mines

The Occupational Health and Safety Branch of the Department of Government Services continues monitoring the effects of silica dust exposure at mining properties in Labrador West with a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct a medical x-ray audit involving the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOCC) and Wabush Mines.

"Over the last 30 years, there have been numerous studies and measures put in place for silica dust management to reduce the instances of silicosis in the workforce at both IOCC and Wabush Mines," said the Honourable Harry Harding, Minister of Government Services. "Silicosis has a latency period of in excess of 20 years so this is the right time to conduct a medical x-ray audit to determine if dust control measures implemented at both properties are working."

Measures to date include a preventive maintenance program for ventilation systems which is monitored by Occupational Health and Safety and the establishment of a tripartite Labrador West steering committee comprised of representatives from IOCC, Wabush Mines, the United Steelworkers Union and Occupational Health and Safety. In 2006, the Provincial Government established the Silica Code of Practice which outlines precautionary measures to safely work around silica dust. Section nine of the Code requires a health surveillance program for employees at IOCC and Wabush Mines employed in a dust-exposure operation. This program is ongoing.

The RFP will require that the successful proponent:

  • read, interpret, and report chest X-ray findings from a group of current and former employees at both IOCC and Wabush Mines (Scully); this will include new X-rays as well as a review of older, previously interpreted X-rays;
  • verify that the existing silica related health surveillance programs at both properties are in conformance with established health surveillance protocols;
  • review existing protocols to ensure that the hazard communication process results in workers being fully informed and given the necessary information and tools for subsequent follow-up; and,
  • prepare an information package for workers involved in the screening process, and physicians responsible for assessing and treating workers with pneumoconiosis (i.e. sub-clinical vs. clinical stages).

"The Occupational Health and Safety Branch is committed to decreasing the incidents of occupational disease in this province," said Minister Harding. "The information we will learn from this audit will be transferrable to other mining properties thereby enhancing the education and awareness for workers and medical professions about occupational disease."

Silica dust is a common by-product of mining and can cause silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis which causes thickening and stiffening of the lungs.

The terms of reference are available at www.gov.nl.ca/gs/ohs

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2010 11 26                                                    1:00 p.m.


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