Safer Together: Lessons from an Industry Leader
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 3 | 11:30pm
Location: Hudbay Stage
Grainger Safety Professional Abstract: Risk Tolerance Above and Below: The Hidden Driver of Serious Incidents
Speaker: John Evinder
Despite strong safety programs, serious incidents and fatalities continue to occur in mining Industries. This session examines how hazard identification, risk tolerance, and organizational culture influence real-world decision-making in mining and civil engineering and facilities operations.
Using Canadian injury trends and Mining-relevant examples, participants will explore why high-risk activities fail even in compliant environments and how a safe-to-fail mindset and layered controls can better protect workers, patients, and critical infrastructure.
Hudbay Abstract
Speaker: Taylor Thiessen
Details coming soon.
Sofvie Abstract
Speaker: To be announced.
Details coming soon.
Speakers
John Evinder, Grainger Safety Professional
John Evinger is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) with extensive experience supporting Mining, Civil Engineering Projects, industrial, and institutional organizations in hazard identification, risk management, and HOP & safety culture development. Through his work with Grainger Canada, John collaborates closely with operational, engineering and facilities safety teams to address operational risks that impact worker safety, and critical infrastructure safety items.
John brings a practical, operations-focused approach, bridging compliance requirements with real-world decision-making. His sessions focus on helping organizations move beyond paperwork and build safety systems that anticipate failure, strengthen human decision-making, and protect people when conditions change.
Chair
Ashton Crone, Hudbay Minerals
Ashton is a seasoned mining professional with a 19-year career at Hudbay Minerals, commencing in 2007. His extensive experience spans various operational and management roles, including General Foreman, Superintendent, Manager, and most recently, Director of Business Planning. With a focus on Milling and Processing Plants, Ashton brings extensive expertise in safety, operations, and project management, consistently driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. Notably, he led the successful commissioning and ramp-up of Hudbay’s New Britannia Gold Mill refurbishment project in 2021, and the Stall Mill phase 1 upgrades in 2023, solidifying Hudbay’s position as a leading gold producer in Manitoba.
Ashton’s vision lies in fostering the growth of Manitoba’s mining sector through the development of skilled labor, strategic infrastructure investments, strong government alignment, and the advancement of cutting-edge technology. He is committed to ensuring Manitoba remains a leading mining jurisdiction for years to come.