The Mines Regulations, 2018 have been approved and will come into force on April 6, 2019.

As you may be aware,the delay in the coming into force of the regulations was to provide organizations with time to prepare and come into compliance with the new requirements. Since the regulations do not take effect for one year, they cannot be found in the Saskatchewan Publication Centre under The Saskatchewan Employment Act; but rather can only be found in the April 6, 2018 edition of The Saskatchewan Gazette.  A link to the regulations has been provided for your convenience:

http://publications.gov.sk.ca/freelaw/documents/gazette/part2/2018/G2201814.pdf 

Some of the significant changes in The Mines Regulations, 2018 include the introduction of:

• an asset management plan,which requires employers and owners to develop a plan for the inspection and maintenance of all fixed assets not already covered by a prescribed inspection program;
• a safety equivalency process that enables employers to apply for a variance from the existing regulations if a process or technology equals or exceeds the level of health and safety set in the regulations;
• new explosives provisions which harmonize with the federal Act and regulations;
• a requirement for each hoist to have a preventive hoist maintenance program;
• a fire risk mitigation strategy approved by a professional engineer and the occupational health committee; and
• a maximum airborne contaminant level and testing standards for diesel particulate matter.

Letter to ACEC-SK from the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety

April 23, 2018