Employees at Kinross Gold Corp.’s Fort Knox gold mine have worked more than 3 million man-hours without a lost-time incident, top managers at the Fairbanks area mine. Mine officials hailed the milestone as a major achievement, and said it reflected the dedication and commitment to safety among workers the largest gold mine in Alaska.
The more than 500 full-time employees log about 1 million man-hours per year. Fort Knox has achieved other noteworthy safety milestones in the past, including working 1 million man-hours without a lost-time incident in 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, and in 2008. The mine passed the 2 million man-hours worked without a lost time incident for the first time ever in 2009.
The Fort Knox Mine also marked three years running without a lost-time incident on December 28, 2009, another major safety achievement, according to mine officials.
“Reaching this record clearly demonstrates the Kinross Fort Knox team’s passion for safety,” said Fort Knox General Manager Lauren Roberts. “We all recognize that safety is the bedrock foundation of a well-run, efficient and productive work environment. I am proud to be part of such a conscientious team,” Roberts said.
Roberts credited employees’ commitment to the highest safety standards and hard work for the mine’s strong safety record.
Mine health and safety manager Bob Sweeden said the safety milestones were something about which all mine employees could be proud.
“Every person has been committed to getting the job done both effectively and safely and this vigilance has paid off. Using risk assessment and safe working procedures to challenge the way we do things helps keep us all safe and avoid unnecessary risks,” Sweeden said.
