Two Doe Run Mines Receive Highest Honor for Mine Safety
St. Louis (PRWEB) October 26, 2013 -- Two of The Doe Run Company’s (Doe Run) Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling Division (SEMO) mines have earned the highly coveted Sentinels of Safety award – the most prestigious mine safety award in the nation. The Buick Mine won for outstanding safety performance in the Large Underground Metal Mine category, and the #29 Mine was honored in the Small Underground Metal Mine category.
This is the sixth Sentinels of Safety award for Buick Mine and the first for #29 Mine. Doe Run and its predecessor companies have now won the Sentinels of Safety award 27 times since 1971.
“Safety is an everyday commitment at Doe Run because it’s central to keeping our operations running successfully,” said Aaron Miller, vice president of operations and chief operating officer at Doe Run. “Nothing matters more than the safety of our people. They are the foundation of our operations.”
Co-sponsored by the National Mining Association (NMA), the Sentinels of Safety awards were developed in part by President Herbert Hoover more than 75 years ago and are recognized as one of the nation’s oldest and most admired occupational safety awards. The awards honor the safest large and small underground mines in the country for 2012, based on employee safety data provided to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The company credits these awards to employees’ commitment to continuous improvement through proactive safety training and programs. SEMO employees complete daily mobile equipment and work area inspections, and report any potential hazards. Supervisors use the Behavior Based Safety (BBS) program to observe employee behavior, reward safe actions or provide one-on-one coaching to correct unsafe behaviors. SEMO employees also receive 40 hours of in-depth training on MSHA guidelines upon hire, as well as annual safety training throughout their careers.
“We’re extremely proud to have our Buick and #29 mines recognized as some of the safest mining operations in the U.S.,” said Steve Batts, general manager at SEMO. “This achievement is driven by our employees. They take the extra time on the job every single day to make sure they protect themselves and each other.”
Doe Run’s Casteel Mine and Brushy Creek Mine also finished in the top five for the Large Underground Metal Mine category.
Earlier this year, SEMO reached 2.75 million safe work hours without a lost-time injury. Prior to this accomplishment, SEMO’s highest achievement on record was 1.25 million safe hours.
About The Doe Run Company
Based in St. Louis, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company and the largest integrated lead producer in the Western Hemisphere. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates one of the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling facilities, located in Boss, Mo. The Doe Run Company and its subsidiary deliver products and services necessary to provide power, protection and convenience. Doe Run has operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit http://www.doerun.com or sustainability.doerun.com.
Editor’s Note: Photos from Doe Run’s mining operations are available in an online photo library (doerun.com/MediaCenter/PhotoLibrary).
Andrea Mollett, Standing Partnership, http://www.standingpartnership.com, 314-287-6337, [email protected]
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