NMA recently recognized Hecla Mining Company for receiving independent certification under its CORESafety® system. Hecla was an early adopter of the program and since implementing CORESafety, it has reduced its injury rate by 30 percent.
“We are pleased to be the first hardrock mining company to achieve certification under the CORESafety system,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., Hecla’s president and CEO. “This significant achievement is made possible by a commitment to safety exhibited at every level of our workforce, from the miners to site management and beyond.”
And CORESafety’s approach to mining safety and health emphasizes accident prevention using a risk-based management system the foundation of which involves leadership, management and assurance. Its objective is to have zero fatalities and a 50 percent reduction in mining’s injury rate within five years of implementation. It is a voluntary mine safety and health initiative developed and facilitated by the NMA.
CORESafety participants agree to: commit to the CORESafety system; implement a functionally-equivalent version of the CORESafety safety and health management system; submit to NMA annual self-assessments of progress toward implementation of the CORESafety safety and health management system; and, if the company elects to become or maintain CORESafety certification, complete a third party assessment of its safety and health management system to verify that it is functionally equivalent to CORESafety and submit the assessment report to NMA.
Hecla Mining’s certification is a significant accomplishment. It demonstrations the company’s commitment to driving continuous safety improvement that goes above and beyond what is required by regulations.