Newmont Mining Corporation

NEVADA - A medical emergency on a Newmont-owned bus (see “Twin Creeks Life Savers Recognized at Regional Conference”) demonstrated to the Health Safety and Loss Prevention (HSLP) department the importance of making Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) standard equipment on all contract buses across Nevada.

Twin Creeks employees riding home together after an overnight shift jumped into action to save the life of a colleague experiencing a heart attack. The patient had a little luck, a certified emergency responder assisted by cool-headed co-workers, and a well-equipped, on board first aid/trauma kit – complete with AED - all on his side.

Each year during Newmont’s annual safety refresher training, employees are shown how to properly use an AED. This training helped ensure the effective use of the on-board AED that resulted in the patient recovering and returning to work. HSLP recognized that although the Newmont-owned buses were equipped with on-board AEDs, our contractor-operated buses were not. So the department purchased additional AEDs, which have been installed on all buses transporting Newmont employees. According to Dave Greenan, Emergency Response Coordinator for Newmont, “acquiring the AEDs for all employee transport buses not only solidifies our commitment to our employees’ safety, but also allows us to act with early intervention in an emergency situation and save lives.” Newmont’s HLSP department will regularly inspect and maintain the on-board AEDS, as well as train the transport drivers in how to properly use them in emergencies.

Left to right: Jim Sparkman (Newmont Health Safety & Loss Prevention, Twin Creeks / Lone Tree mines), David Greenan (Newmont Emergency Response Coordinator), Steve Russell (Safety & Training Manager, KT Contract Services), and Chris Mabey (Newmont Regional Director HSLP North America) display one of the AEDs now installed in Newmont’s bus fleet across Nevada.

PHOENIX MINE, NEVADA - In support of the continuous improvement process, Phoenix Mine began a new program for controlling hazards during adverse winter conditions. The mine site was divided among individuals, who each ensured that controls were in place to adequately control cold-weather related hazards, such as snow, ice, and icicles. These “adopted” areas were inspected during every shift, and corrective actions were quickly taken to maintain walkways and doorways. This was made very easy due to proper planning and staging of materials, such as shovels and snow melt, which were always in good supply and readily available in the appropriate areas.

A bucket of ice/snow melt, a spreader and a snow shovel are stationed near an area of heavy foot traffic at the Phoenix Mine during the cold weather months in northern Nevada.

RENO, NEVADA - A group of Twin Creeks Mine employees riding home on the bus together after an overnight shift saved the life of a colleague experiencing a heart attack.

For their heroic actions, employees Dave Lott, Hartley Parish, Lalo Gonzales and Jose Leon Canonola each received the Joseph A. Holmes Lifesaver Award during the 5th Annual Joint Regional Mine Safety and Health Conference in Reno. The award is given “for saving or attempting to save a life using modern life saving techniques and/or quick and appropriate action in an attempt to save a life.” According to its website, the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association (JAHSA) is a nonprofit organization that began in 1916 to promote health and safety in the mining industry and consists of representatives from Federal and State Governments, Mining and Labor Organizations. Many thanks to these fine employees for their teamwork and commitment to action during this medical emergency.

Adapted from Beyondthemine.com

Newmont Nevada's employee wellness program, in place since 2003, teaches mine employees how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, stop smoking, manage diabetes and lose weight.

Employee participants, who can earn up to $720 in non-cash incentives for meeting their annual wellness goals, can screen and manage their health at two medical clinics the mines sponsor: Golden Valley Medical Center in Winnemucca and Golden Health Family Medical Center in Elko.

In 2008 alone, participating employees collectively lost more than 1,320 pounds, reduced their cholesterol by 3,590 points, and reduced their triglycerides by 9,626 points. Since the program began, 56 individuals also have stopped using tobacco. Due in part to their proactive approach to employee wellness, the Nevada operations has been able to moderate their medical cost increases for both individual employees and the company.