In May 2020, Hecla Mining Company launched a contest called “SAFETY: Take It Home.” Entrants were asked to write a short specific story or example of how they, their families or friends have made a point of practicing safety at home. The deadline to enter was July 16, 2020. Details of the contest can be found on the CORESafety website.
The new campaign and contest are the company’s way to encourage workers and their families to spread the word about the importance of staying safe everywhere.
The campaign was developed organically this spring when Hecla geologist Jonathan Moore and his two young children were working in the family’s yard. Moore often tells the youngsters how Hecla teaches him to stay safe on the job. Remembering this, his son thought to ask Moore if he could wear safety glasses to protect his eyes while working. The boy ran to get the glasses for himself and for his sister. Later, the young man asked his father if he could mow the lawn and requested some hearing protection for his ears as well.
Hecla Mining was an early adopter of the CORESafety framework, a partnership led by the members of the National Mining Association (NMA). It’s an approach to mining safety and health to prevent accidents before they happen using a management system that 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 (0:50:5).