In 2004, we were delighted to report on the continuing success of our safety program, as measured in the incidence rate of workdays lost, which was the lowest of any year for which we have statistics. This continued improvement, which occurred despite the number of newly hired miners, is a direct result of Massey’s relentless focus on safety and the implementation of our safety standards throughout all of our resource groups, including the Raymond A. Bradbury “Obsession with Safety” program.
Training is a key element of our ongoing obsession with safety. In addition to regular safety classes, including the successful Sprain and Strain Clinic that was instituted in 2003, approximately 550 Massey Members attended our 2004 supervisor-training program – WIN (What’s Important Now). This class was offered in conjunction with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Massey's mentor/trainee program brings experienced supervisors together with new apprentices to emphasize safety and professional skills.
Success in safety was further evidenced in the number of safety awards won by our underground and surface mines, and our Chess processing plant. These awards were presented by MSHA and the West Virginia State Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association, which also recognized 10 Professional Miners for the first time in 2004.
One of those granted a Professional Miner designation was Massey’s Michael Carpenter, a shuttle car driver who exemplifies our safety standards by having worked underground for 30 years without a single lost-time accident.
In addition, the Holmes Safety Association again named one of Massey’s safety directors, Wayne Persinger, as Co-Safety Leader of the Year, an honor won by another of our safety directors the previous year.
Long a leader in safety research and development, Massey has instituted many tangible safety enhancements that far exceed state and federal regulations.
Recently, Massey members highlighted a variety of our safety improvements at the West Virginia Safety Innovation Conference, including such Massey-initiated developments as coal stockpile submarine kits, high temperature cut-off switches, mantrip netting, excavator manlifts and others.
Additionally, Massey’s Nautilus Proximity Detection System, which is a joint effort with Joy Mining Machinery and the Mine Safety and Health Administration, causes mining equipment to shut down automatically if an operator moves into dangerous proximity to the machinery. This system is just another result of Massey thinking outside the box on safety.
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