OREANDA-NEWS.  October 16, 2012. The US National Mines Association (NMA) has presented ArcelorMittal Princeton’s Mine no. 40 with a Sentinel of Safety Award for achieving 117,034 employee hours worked without a lost workday injury, reported the press-centre of ArcelorMittal.

The award was in the “large underground coal” category, for Princeton’s safety record in 2011.

The annual Sentinels of Safety Awards aim to recognise outstanding safety performance, to stimulate greater interest in safety and to encourage the development of more effective accident prevention programmes among the US mineral mining operations.

“Our workers at the ArcelorMittal Princeton Mine no. 40 are an outstanding example of the safety performance that can be reached when we work together. A year without a lost time injury is an important milestone in the journey to Zero. Princeton was one of the first mines to embark on Courageous Leadership and is well on its way to create a sustainable safety culture. Congratulations to all the workers at Princeton who by working together have been recognised as earning this prestigious award,” said Suresh Rajapakse, vice president health, safety, environment, security, and sustainability for Mining.

In receiving this recognition, ArcelorMittal Princeton was considered along with all similar operations that in 2011 reported at least 4,000 employee hours of exposure without a work injury that resulted in lost workdays and that have a no days lost (NDL) injury incidence rate no greater than the national average.

“We congratulate everyone who participated in the exemplary group achievement in the prevention of injuries at Mine no.40. The commitment and dedication you have shown through your outstanding safety performance presents a shining example to all of us,” said Hal Quinn, president and CEO of the NMA.