Miners throughout New South Wales have been recognised for their innovation and commitment to safety by the state`s leading resource body.
NSW Minerals Council chief executive Nikki Williams said the surge of innovation in safety throughout the state`s mining industry is working closer towards the goal of zero harm.
“The end result is tools, applications and techniques that have the potential to be shared across the industry and the community.
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“Our awards aim to encourage miners to identify areas where health and safety can be improved and then develop and road test unique solutions that can be adopted at other operations.
Newcrest Mining received the People`s Choice award for its new mechanical hammer guide that eliminates the risk of injury to workers by replacing a manual task with a mechanical solution.
BHP Billiton took out the Highly Commended in the Health category for its commitment to lowering occupational health exposure risk with a new testing regime for standard personal protective equipment to ensure it fits individual users.
“Zero harm” target is achievable
The annual awards are part of the biggest Occupational Health and Safety conference in the state, run by the Minerals Council.
Centennial Coal was nominated for two categories in this year`s awards, and took out the Highly Commended honors for new developments at its Angus Place Colliery with a new drill design that removes workers from a high-risk working zone in longwall mining.
Centennial`s chief operating officer Steve Bracken said at the conference in the Hunter Valley the company is always working towards better safety and even has its own internal innovation conference.
He said the goal of zero harm throughout the industry is achievable if it is continually worked on.
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