The award was given by the John E Jones Council of the Joseph A Holmes Safety Association. ACC’s incident rate in the period was 3.99 for 401,325 hours worked.
“We strive daily to keep our focus on safety in all aspects of the operations,” American Coal health and safety manager Steve Willis said.
“However, it is ultimately up to each individual and their team members to work safely. This award is a credit to the working men and women at The American Coal Company and at all Murray Energy facilities.”
ACC’s Galatia complex, with a total staff of 732, includes two underground mining operations, New Era and New Future, as well as a preparation plant. It produced more than 5 million tons of bituminous coal last year for both domestic and international customers.
“[The American Coal Company’s] success in safety is no secret,” Holmes Safety Association regional safety coordinator Jim Rusher said, who also serves as a lead federal inspector at the Galatia mining complex.
“People at this operation clearly work together for a common goal to eliminate accidents through mutual respect. It is a pleasure to work with them toward this goal.”
The Joseph A Holmes Safety Association was named for the first US Bureau of Mines administrator. The bureau, established in 1910, was a precursor to what is now known as the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Today, the association has local, state and national councils across the US. The John E Jones Council includes membership mines from the southern Illinois region.
