Usibelli Coal Mine Achieves All-Time Best Safety Record

HEALY—On Wednesday, April 10, 2019 employees at Usibelli Coal Mine (UCM) worked 798 consecutive days without a single lost time accident (LTA), setting a new record for safety at the mine.

The mine’s previous safety record was set in 2006 at 797 days without a lost time accident. “While we are proud of this accomplishment, there is never a sense of complacency about the safety challenge,” said Joe Usibelli Jr., UCM president and CEO. “We place a strong emphasis on safety every day. We continuously work to change behaviors and workplace conditions that could lead to an incident at work.”

UCM sponsors an internal safety program, Everyday Safety—At Work. At Home. At Play., and is also implementing the CORESafety framework of the National Mining Association (NMA). These programs help UCM employees understand their shared level of responsibility for creating a workplace culture where safety is priority number one. “Everyone has the right to go home safe at the end of each shift,” said Usibelli.

The company is a participating member in CORESafety and is working towards certification with NMA. “Over the past year, UCM employees have been strategically evaluating our current health and safety management systems and practices to improve overall safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions for all employees,” said Matt Nelson, UCM human resource and safety director.

Mine employees in Healy celebrated the milestone today with pizza over the lunch hour. A company-wide celebration will follow on May 16, 2019, during which employees will receive a company jacket commemorating the safety achievement and renew their commitment to putting safety first—every day.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and applaud them for their tireless efforts to improve safety performance—this is a milestone worth celebrating,” said Usibelli.