Flin Flon and Snow Lake’s largest employer said it is taking new steps to combat COVID-19.
Within all operations in Hudbay’s Manitoba Business Unit (MBU) - including 777 mine, Lalor mine and the company’s processing facilities - new measures have been introduced to try to stop the spread of the disease and shrink transmission risk.
“At Hudbay, nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our people and their families and the COVID-19 pandemic represents a serious and unique challenge for all Canadians,” reads a statement to the Reminder from Hudbay MBU vice-president Rob Assabgui.
“We recognize the government of Manitoba’s state of emergency declaration and have been carefully monitoring the rapidly evolving situation related to this. As a result, we have introduced a number of proactive measures with the aim of protecting the people of Hudbay and the communities in which we live and work.”
An update distributed to Hudbay employees and obtained by The Reminder states that air travel for employees and contractors has been completely restricted until April 30.
Pre-work health checks, including a screening questionnaire, will be carried out by supervisors at the start of every shift. Staff who are able to work remotely, including office staff, have been asked to work away from company property. Cleaning staff have been offered overtime.
Areas deemed to be both non-essential and high risk, like gym facilities, have been closed.
Hudbay has created COVID-19 committees, which will meet twice per week during the outbreak.
Deliveries and pick-ups at different areas of Hudbay operations, including at the main gate and warehouse, have been altered.
Gatherings of multiple people at once, including crew lineup meetings and showers, are staggered to promote social distancing. Showerheads have been removed from the company’s shower facilities to create a buffer space between workers.
Swiping time cards for punch-in and punch-out has been made voluntary, with employees asked to “please… not abuse”.
Any employee who could be sick has been told to leave company property on foot or, if they are unable to walk, by emergency services. Sick workers are told to avoid the change house or any contact with surfaces or people.
Any injured employees will not be accompanied to hospital by superintendents and employees will not have to sign acknowledgement sheets.
At 777, lunch breaks and coffee break times have been staggered to limit the number of people in break areas and refuse stations. Hudbay has also introduced limits for the mine’s cage. Only nine employees per deck and two employees per service hoist are allowed.
In Snow Lake, the company has added a school bus to transport Hudbay employees to and from work and the Lalor mine camp.
Cage restrictions at Lalor are similar to 777 mine. Information boards and TVs at the mine site and camp will show graphics giving COVID-19 details. Food in the kitchen will be individually wrapped and takeout options are available for employees.
Much of the movement at Lalor and Snow Lake operations revolves around keeping things clean. Hudbay will conduct random audits of equipment, while refuge stations, equipment cabs and other areas will be cleaned at the start of every shift. Supervisors will be given cleaning supplies to begin all shifts. At the Lalor camp, a trailer has been set aside to house any potentially ill employees.
Assabgui said the new changes are vital to keep workers and the environment at the mine site safe. Mining was listed as an essential service by the provincial government late last month.
“We believe these efforts will keep our employees and their families safe and healthy, which is our top priority,” said Assabgui.
