Rio Algom’s Panel mine at Elliot Lake, Ont., has become the only North American mine in the world to hold a 5-star rating in the International Safety Rating System.
The 5-star standing, announced by the Mines Accident Prevention Association Ontario (MAPAO), makes the Panel mine only the second underground mining operation in North America ever to hold the 5 stars.
The award came after verification of results of a 2-week audit.
The International Safety Rating System is used as an international standard for evaluating safety practices and loss control management. It is administered in Ontario by the MAPAO, in affiliation with the International Loss Control Institute of Georgia, U.S.A., and the Industrial Accident Prevention Association of Ontario.
Commenting on the award, the executive director of MAPAO, William Coughlan, said the Panel mine’s lost time injury frequency rate is well below the industry average.
Mine manager Peter Bedford said the concept of loss control, used in conjunction with the International Safety Rating System, helped “develop a team attitude that is paying off big in terms of reduced accidents and injuries.”
In other news on mine safety and loss control, the Falconbridge/ Lockerby first aid team at Sudbury, Ont., has won the McCrea Trophy, symbol of first aid supremacy within the province’s mining industry.
This year, 13 teams competed for the trophy. Second, third and fourth place went to Inco Ltd., Hemlo Gold Mines, and Rio Algom’s Quirke II, respectively.
The competition is organized each spring by the MAPAO, in conjunction with St. John Ambulance. MAPAO judges travel throughout the province to evaluate each team.
The McCrea Trophy was introduced in 1929, and named for the Hon. Charles McCrea, then minister of mines for the province.
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