Safety is first priority at the Westmoreland mines. Corporate officers, mine managers, mine supervisors and all employees are aware of the importance of working safely. Mining at Westmoreland is a safe occupation.
Westmoreland has written safety regulations that are presented to any newly employed miner. Company policy, Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and individual state rules and regulations are adhered to. Topics include but are not limited to the following: first aid, personal protective equipment (hard hats, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, welding leathers, face shields, hearing protection), mining hazards, communications, electrical hazards, traffic patterns, mine changes, and miners' rights under the regulations. In addition to Westmoreland employees, all visitors and vendors are made aware of the possible hazards to which they could be exposed while at the mine.
Beulah Mine - Lowest Accident Incident Rate in the Lignite Industry
Dakota Westmoreland Corporation’s Beulah Mine has received the Lignite Energy Council’s Safety Excellence Award for the mine or plant with the lowest accident incident rate in the lignite industry.
Beulah Mine Safety Award - “The lignite users and producers in this region believe that the efficient production of a low-cost, reliable energy source cannot be achieved without serious attention to the health and safety of their employees,” said John Dwyer, president of th Lignite Energy Council. “Dakota Westmoreland’s Beulah Mine has made a commitment to safe operations above and beyond what is required by state and federal regulations,” Dwyer said. “Dakota Westmoreland is truly dedicated to the safety of its employees, and has performed exceptionally to earn this award.” |
The Beulah Mine had an exceptional safety record in 2010, completing the entire year without any lost-time accidents. As of December 31, 2010, the Beulah Mine had worked 667 days without a lost-time accident and continues to build on that record having worked 770 days without an accident resulting in lost-time. The mine also completed 2010 without an MSHA reportable. Dakota Westmoreland’s accident rate of 0.00 compares to the U.S. surface mining industry average of 1.11 for 2010 as reported by the Mine Safety Health Administration.
Savage Mine - Exceptional Safety Record
The Savage Mine has been presented the Westmoreland Coal Company President’s Award in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for the safest mine within the company.
Safety performance at the Savage Mine has also been recognized by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) through their “Certificate of Achievement in Safety” award. This award was presented to Westmoreland Savage small surface coal group Sentinels of Safety Program for its outstanding safety record in 2004 with 21,128 employee hours worked without a lost workday injury, and nominated to receive it again in 2008.
Due to their outstanding safety record, the Westmoreland Savage Mine was invited by MSHA to participate with mines from the Powder River Basin in developing Stakeholders' Best Practices in the fall of 2005. The group put together two best practices, “Wellness” and “Windshield Access” procedures.
In addition, Westmoreland Savage has received the Montana Governor’s Award for Safety and Health in the mining category for the years of 2007 and 2009, and in 2010, and received the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute’s Safety Award for Surface Mines for outstanding and ongoing safety performance during calendar years 2007, 2008, and 2009.
