Third National Sentinel of Safety Award in Last Two Years for Alpha
Operations
ABINGDON, Va., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brooks Run Mining Co.
LLC, a subsidiary of Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR), based in
Beckley, W. Va., has won a national award for achieving the best safety
record for a large coal processing facility in the United States.
Brooks Run's Processing Plant No. 1, in Webster County, W. Va., was one
of six coal group winners recognized today in the National Mining
Association's (NMA) annual Sentinels of Safety awards luncheon in
Washington, D.C.
Established by President Herbert Hoover more than 80 years ago, and
jointly administered by the NMA and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Sentinels of Safety is the nation's longest running award
program for occupational safety.
The purpose of the program is to recognize achievement of outstanding
safety performance in the mining industry, stimulate greater interest in
safety, and encourage development of effective accident prevention programs
among the nation's coal and mineral extractive industries.
In 2005 the Brooks Run Processing Plant No. 1 recorded 121,562 manhours
without a reportable accident. The plant's 50 employees achieved a 0.00
rate for lost-workday injuries against a national average of 1.74.
The plant attributes its record to a commitment on the part of all
employees to Alpha Natural Resources' "Running Right" safety guidelines.
The guidelines are based on recognizing, reporting and correcting any
hazardous conditions or equipment in the workplace. Employees are
encouraged to observe the work habits of their co-workers. Unsafe behavior
is addressed while safe behavior is commended.
"Our goal is to be one of the safest coal mining companies in America,
and a company people would therefore want to work for," said Randy
McMillion, Brooks Run's president. "Our success depends on the observations
and safe practices of our own people, who watch out for one another. All of
us share the same objective: seeing that our fellow workers get home to
their families safely and healthy after every shift."
In last year's Sentinels of Safety competition, mines operated by two
other Alpha subsidiaries won top national honors in their categories --
small underground coal mine and large surface mine. Combined, those
operations recorded more than 300,000 manhours without a serious injury or
lost-time accident.
About Alpha Natural Resources
Alpha Natural Resources is a leading producer of high-quality
Appalachian coal. Approximately 91 percent of the company's reserve base is
high Btu coal and 84 percent is low sulfur, qualities that are in high
demand among electric utilities which use steam coal. Alpha is also one of
the nation's largest producers and exporters of metallurgical coal, a key
ingredient in steel manufacturing. Alpha and its subsidiaries currently
operate mining complexes in four states, consisting of 67 mines feeding 11
coal preparation and blending plants. The company and its subsidiaries
employ approximately 3,700 people.
ANRG
SOURCE Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.alphanr.com
CONTACT:
Ted Pile of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.,
+1-276-623-2920
|
