Learning from the Safety Experts: Mine Safety and Health Administration Visits Superior Site

As the proverb goes: “Caution is the parent of safety,” and at Resolution Copper Mining (RCM), safety remains a top priority. Over the past several months, we’ve launched a range of activities and programs that promote caution and ensure the safety and well-being of employees, contractors and the general public.

Resolution Copper Health & Safety Manager Mike Wegleitner invited the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to visit our Superior site in April to discuss the importance of working safely. In addition to Resolution Copper, employees from contractors Cementation, Dynatec, Major Drilling, Dalmolin, Albo Guzman Trucking, Superior Environmental, Jonovich, Barcon, Sturgeon Electric, Marcanti Electric, Wackenhut Security, and Darling Environmental & Surveying attended the meeting. MSHA representatives stressed the importance of daily inspections, task preparation and constant communication between mine site workers to remain safe. David Hamm, MSHA mine safety and health inspector, noted that 90 percent of citations from MSHA could normally be prevented by performing daily inspections.

RCM President John Rickus emphasized the company’s goal to ensure our entire workforce remains safe and injury free, and thanked MSHA representatives for their contribution. “At Resolution Copper, we regard MSHA as a part of our safety team, and welcome their active role as we move through all phases of mine development and operation.”

Also in April we launched TAKE 5, a pre-task risk assessment that uses a logical approach to spot work hazards before beginning a task. The five-step process requires individuals to think through each task, identify the hazards, assess the risks, make needed changes and then complete the work safely. The TAKE 5 program is used by Resolution Copper employees and contractors both on and off the job.

Reaping safety rewards
Our dedication to safety has proven worthwhile. On June 19, contractor Cementation achieved 365 days without a lost-time injury. Also in June, Resolution Copper reached 500 days and nearly 800,000 man-hours without a lost-time injury at its Superior mine site. We hosted a special event for employees and contractors to celebrate.

“This remarkable achievement was made possible only through the individual commitment of each Resolution Copper employee and contractor,” Rickus said. “Our next goal is one million hours worked without a lost-time injury, and I’m confident that our safety programs, coupled with the dedication of our staff and contractors, will get us there.”

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