Sponsored by SafeStart

Fatigue is a critical – yet often overlooked – human factor that significantly affects workplace productivity and safety outcomes. Mobile equipment operators, including those in the mining industry, are particularly at risk because of the sedentary nature of driving, in combination with the effect of extended work shifts for most operators, and reduced perceptual-motor requirements (e.g., moving at low speeds, following the same route continuously and exposure to environmental uniformity).

To address this critical safety risk, Torex Gold Resources Inc. is engaged in a multiyear strategy to support its workforce in identifying and reducing operator fatigue. Torex has prioritized addressing fatigue management at its operations, from piloting a real-time, wearable fatigue detection technology among a sample of open-pit operators in 2020 to designing site-specific fatigue management interventions in 2021, and then expanding the scope of the program to the entire open pit in 2022 – with implementation plans for the underground operations in 2024.

This webinar highlights the measured success in reducing fatigue risks at Torex, providing valuable insights into the actions, tools and commitments required to keep workers safe. Learn about the innovative measures Torex has implemented and how every organization can prioritize the well-being of its workers and mitigate the risks of fatigue.

Speakers

Nelson Bodnarchuk, Vice President of Health and Safety
Torex Gold Resources Inc.

Nelson is the vice president of health and safety for Torex Gold Resources Inc. He started as the director of operational systems, overseeing critical aspects of the successful construction startup and operation of the Greenfield build of the ELG Open Pit Mine and Processing Plant and now supports the safe operations of the Morelos Mine Complex in Guerrero State, Mexico. Nelson brings more than 21 years of global, multicommodity operating leadership experience. He has a degree in electrical engineering, is a certified six sigma black belt, maintains his Project Management Professional designation, and is working toward his Master of Business Administration.

Emily Tetzlaff, Health and Safety Project Analyst
Torex Gold Resources Inc.

Emily is a health and safety project analyst with Torex Gold Resources Inc. – fatigue risk management program, and leads the SmartCap wearable fatigue detection system. She’s worked in the mining industry since 2015, as both a researcher and corporate health promotion specialist with Med-I-Well Services. Emily is a doctoral candidate at the University of Ottawa and registered kinesiologist. She is a Research Health System Impact fellow (Canadian Institute of Health) and a research affiliate (Health Canada – Climate Change and Innovation Bureau), and holds a master’s in human kinetics; honors bachelor’s in physical education, specializing in health promotion; and university certification in gerontology.

Moderator

Alan Ferguson, Associate Editor, Safety+Health magazine

Alan is associate editor of Safety+Health and serves as co-host of the magazine’s “On the Safe Side” podcast.