Page 7 - HMCSocialResponsibility

A PATH TO SUCCESS Hecla tracks a variety of safety performance indicators: injuries, near misses, and equipment damage. Each year, our goal is to reduce safety incidents and improve upon the previous year’s performance. e choice for all employees
is clear: when a con ict arises between production and safety, safety should always come rst.
EXTENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE TRAINING: PROTECTING OUR WORKFORCE All mine employees receive training that complies with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations. is training includes an initial 40-hour training program for underground employees, 24 hours for surface employees, and 8 hours of annual refresher training for both. Employees receive ongoing training that is designed to develop skills in performing their assigned tasks in a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible manner. Safety meetings are
held regularly to identify risks and promote a culture of safety in
the workplace. Employees are expected to actively participate in identifying and alerting management to potential hazards and unsafe practices. Until the recent tragic accident, Hecla’s Lucky Friday operation had gone 25 years without a fatality. Our top priority remains protecting our workforce and mitigating risks, and we’re committed to the continuous improvement of our health and safety practices.
MINIMIZING EXPOSURE RISKS In mining and milling metallic ore, exposure to substances which may have an adverse impact on human health is possible. Over the past seven years, Hecla has made signi cant progress in protecting underground workers from exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM). Lucky Friday upgraded underground ventilation and converted to biodiesel to
fuel its equipment, reducing DPM emissions by 78%. At Greens
Our responsibility to ensure a safe workplace extends to providing opportunities for employee wellness.
Members of the Lucky Friday Mine/Surface Rescue competition team.
HECLA LOST TIME VS. ALL INJURIES 2008-2010
HECLA SAFETY PERFORMANCE
2008* 2009 2010
Employee hours worked Lost time injuries
Lost time incident rate** All injuries
All injuries incident rate
1,791,496 1,324,525
19 9 13
3.5 1.4 1.8 45 27 32 5 4.1 4.4
* 2008 also includes Venezuela and Mexico operations
**Incident rate = the number of injuries for each 200,000 employee hours worked
1,447,910
45
2008
32
27
19
9
13
2009 2010 Lost time injuries
All injuries
5 Hecla Mining Company