Hunter Valley Operations awarded for safety

In 2007 Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) won the prestigious Rio Tinto Chief Executive Safety Award, after winning the Most Improved award in 2006.

The safety award recognises Rio Tinto sites with the best safety performance from the previous year and demonstrated good safety performance for at least two years.

Safety performance is measured by a range of means, such as the frequency of injuries and high risk incidents, behavioural observations and approach to risk management.

Strong, visible and passionate leadership, employee involvement and ownership and operational excellence are also key criteria.

"The presence of world class performers within the Group is very important in highlighting that excellent safety performance is achievable in the mining industry and is independent of local culture, economic conditions and past practices," former Rio Tinto chief executive Leigh Clifford said.

"It also provides an ever growing number of positive role models for the rest of the Group to follow. Congratulations to HVO."

HVO general manager operations Rick Fairhurst said the award was a testament to the dedication to safety shown by employees and contractors.

"Well done to all at HVO. This is a prestigious award within the Rio Tinto Group and it is a great recognition of the efforts made by everyone to continuously improve," Mr Fairhurst said.

HVO Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) committee chair Kerry Wild said allowing employees and committee members to have input into safety programmes through consultation had been the key for employees taking responsibility for their safety and the safety of others.

"All employees want to make sure they return home to their families at the end of the day," Ms Wild said.

"Being able to contribute through the consultation process to improve practices rather than being told to follow guidelines that have not been developed by the people affected has made a real difference at HVO."