Health and Safety

The Crew Health and Safety Management Standards form the basis for the development and application of HSEC management systems at all levels in the Company.

The Standards cover the entire life cycle of operations and all operational activities with the potential to affect our health and safety performance. They apply to all sites and operations, facilities and activities that are owned or operated by development projects and major activities carried out by contractors on our sites or under our management.

The Health and Safety Management Standards ensure that:

• Employees, contractors and visitors are made aware of relevant health and safety requirements, hazards and controls and are competent to conduct their activities and behave in a responsible manner;
• Employees and contractors receive training to ensure they are familiar with and abide by the Articles relevant to their activities; and
• Where security personnel are required, systems are in place to ensure they are familiar with and operate in accordance with the US-UK Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.

Health and safety at our operations

Regrettably, the LEFA operation suffered a fatality in March when a de-watering attendant fell 15 meters from a beam into the bottom of the open pit where he was working; he was inspecting a pump located in the bottom of the open pit at the time.

The operation has 1,400 employees and approximately 1,000 contractors. Nine lost-time injuries have occurred in the year to date, three of which occurred in the recent quarter.

The Maco Project (Apex) had three minor lost time accidents, involving bruises obtained in rock falls and slight injuries suffered in a minor vehicle accident for the period June-August 2007. For the year to date, a total of six minor lost-time accidents were experienced by the project.

All the employees involved were able to report for work immediately.

Nalunaq has had 14 reportable accidents and/or incidents in the year to date. Only three of these were lost-time incidents.

We began commercial production at Nugget Pond in February 2007. Since then the facility has experienced zero lost-time incidents.

The Goodyear’s Cove offloading facility saw one lost-time injury to a contract security guard in March.

A new health and safety plan is in the finalization stages for the Nugget Pond Facility.  Working hand and hand with the OHS branch of the Newfoundland Government and various health and safety professionals, this plan will meet and surpass all required guidelines set forth in the Newfoundland Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.  In the interim, the operation has put essential procedures in place, obtained and implemented newer technology, and performed fundamental training to deal with any health and safety incidents that may arise.