October 2008

Finalist for safety innovation

When it comes to safety innovation, Hail Creek Mine is among the best of the best. 

The mine was recently honoured as a state finalist for the Innovation Award at the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Innovation Awards.

The award was for reducing maintenance intervention by engineering out components that had high failure rates in P&H 9020 draglines.

Hail Creek Mine general manager operations Andrew Woodley said the innovation, which can be transferred across the mining industry to all dragline fleets, reduces the risks associated with maintenance personnel working in hazardous conditions.  

“Our entry demonstrated the time and effort put in by our maintenance crews in developing a culture and workplace that strives for zero injuries,” Andrew said.

“Being named a finalist puts Rio Tinto Coal Australia at the forefront of safety and imposes an even greater challenge - to not only maintain this improvement, but to continue to seek more safety innovations across our sites and keep up the momentum towards our goal of zero injuries.”

Pictured: Hail Creek Mine maintainer Barry Sheehan and the Honourable Geoff Wilson, Minister for Mines and Energy.