With the winter season fast approaching...NSC Minerals is switching into high gear getting our salt out to the communities and areas in which you live.  Applying salt to the road in sub-zero wet and snowy conditions significantly reduce the occurrence, severity and cost of accidents.  However...de-icing and snow removal are only part of the equation.  In the article below (taken from the Canada Safety Council website) are 9 steps that you can take to keep yourself safe and collision free over the winter months.
Step 1: Make sure that your vehicle is prepared for winter driving.

• Winter tires are a good option, as they will provide greater traction under snowy or icy conditions.
• Keep a snow brush/scraper in your car, along with possible emergency items such as a lightweight shovel, battery jumper cables, and a flashlight.
• Make sure that mirrors, all windows, and the top of your vehicle, are free of snow or frost before getting onto the road.

Step 2: Drive smoothly and slowly

• Don’t make any abrupt turns or stops when driving. Doing so will often cause your vehicle to lose control and skid.
• Driving too quickly is the main cause of winter collisions. Be sure to drive slowly and carefully on snow and ice covered roads.

Step 3: Don’t tailgate.

• Tailgating becomes much worse in winter weather. Stopping takes much longer on snowy and icy roads than on dry pavement, so be sure to leave enough room between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Step 4: Brake before making turns.

• Brake slowly to reduce speed before entering turns. Once you have rounded the corner you can accelerate again.

Step 5: Learn how to control skids.

• When skidding, you actually need to go against your natural instincts and turn into the skid and accelerate. Doing so transfers your vehicle’s weight from the front to the rear and often helps vehicles to regain control.

Step 6: Lights On.

• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

Step 7: No Cruise Control.

• Never use cruise control if conditions are snowy, icy, or wet, because if your car hydroplanes, your car will try to accelerate and you may lose control of your vehicle.

Step 8: Don’t “pump” the brakes.

• If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock breaking system (ABS), do not “pump” the brakes. Apply constant pressure and let the system do its work.

Step 9: Pay attention.

• Manoeuvres are more difficult to make in the snow. Be sure to anticipate what your next move is going to be to give yourself lots of room for turns and stopping.

Original Article found at: https://canadasafetycouncil.org/traffic-safety/winter-driving-tips


 

The last week of August was a busy week here at NSC Minerals Ltd with our annual Mine Tours.  For the first time since offering the tours all available spaces were filled so make sure to send in your RSVP’s early next year! 



We kicked off the Rocanville/PCS Tour with a reception on the patio at the Red Barn.  The weather was perfect and the kitchen and dining room staff treated NSC and our guests like royalty!  We built relationships around the tables with partners and vendors on either side of the border.  The next morning was an early one and we travelled convoy style to the PCS Mine Site and arrived on time to their security gate.  Two groups were guided through the mill and the mine underground before heading over to our site for a BBQ luncheon.  After lunch our Plant Manager, Rob Willms, and our Plant Supervisor, Kevin Vennard, each led a group through the life of a salt crystal once it lands on the PCS salt tailings pile.   The afternoon ended with accolades from our guests about their experience...well done gang!!



After a brief reprieve (of one day), we launched our Vanscoy/Agrium Tour with a gourmet meal at the Radisson in Saskatoon.  Chef Scott and the staff at Radisson served NSC staff and guests a memorable meal over clips of Olde Salty and a brief talk from our Agrium representative, David Middlebrook.  The next morning began even earlier than its preceding tour and we travelled in much the same way as the first tour to the Agrium Mine Security gate at the expected time.   Once again our group was divided and given a tour of both the mill and mine operations.  After Agrium’s portion ended (around noon) our Vanscoy plant hosted another BBQ style luncheon for our guests before Adam Parker and Todd Kinzel (Plant Supervisors) walked groups through operations at Vanscoy.  Again we had representatives from both sides of the border visiting our site and again we received many praises about the tour.

NSC wishes to thank both Potash Corporation Saskatchewan and Agrium for their willingness to allow our major suppliers, customers, and other supporters onto their site for a world class experience.