Rio and Fortescue figure prominently in WA resource awards

RIO Tinto and Fortescue were prominent when Western Australia’s resources sector was showcased at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Awards for Excellence Ceremony last night.

Fortescue Metals Group won the Safety Representatives category with the Safety Barometer, a means of understanding the impact of attitude and distraction on safety.

Rio Tinto were awarded the Engineering category for their rail-mounted working at heights platform, which addresses falling from heights, one of the top risks in the resources sector.

The two companies also featured in a number of other awards including:

• A Certificate of Merit for Improving the Safety and Reliability of Distribution Power Lines for Rio Tinto in the Engineering section of the Safety and Health Resources Sector Award;
• A Certificate of Merit – Onsite – for Suicide Ideation Management for Fortescue Metals Group in the Systems and People section;
• A Certificate of Merit for Scenario based learning for Fortescue Metals Group in the Safety Representatives section.
• A Special Commendation for The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation for Rio Tinto in the Community Partnership Resources Sector Award
• A Certificate of Merit cfor Venturi Reverse Circulation Drilling Waste Removal System for Rio Tinto in the prestigious Golden Gecko award.

Five projects were recognised for their exceptional use of innovative thinking to develop the State’s resource sector for the benefit of all Western Australians.

DMIRS director general David Smith said the awards provide the department with the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the world-class work that resources companies are doing within the industry and broader community.

“One of our key goals in holding these awards is to raise awareness of the high standards in health, safety, environmental management and community partnerships the Western Australian resources sector achieves,” Mr Smith said.

“The finalists have demonstrated outstanding work in leading the industry with innovative excellence and they are a credit to the minerals and energy sector.”