23 February 2021

Gunnedah team clocks 3000 days injury-free

In mid-January the team at Whitehaven Coal’s Gunnedah Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) reached an incredible safety milestone, ticking over 3000 days – more than eight years – without any Lost Time to Injury (LTI), a workplace injury that leads to any time off work.

Every day, there are about 100 people working at the CHPP, working to support Whitehaven’s open-cut mines in the Gunnedah Basin. Coal is transported to the CHPP via road, then processed and transported by rail to be exported to our customers.

The CHPP started operations in 2002 and over the years has processed coal from other mines now in rehabilitation, including Whitehaven’s Rocglen and Sunnyside mines.

“The health, safety and welfare of our team is the priority. Our primary motivation is to ensure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day,” said Ian Taylor, Gunnedah CHPP Manager.

“Maintaining this record for so long, and avoiding complacency, is a testament to our operators, contractors and staff who work day and night in a dynamic and at times challenging environment,” he added.

To achieve this record, the team has continually observed Whitehaven’s evolving processes and procedures through ongoing training and development. The team at the CHPP actively speak up if there is a safer way of doing a task, even if it means haulage or production needs to be halted. Importantly, the team never let a co-worker do something unsafe.

Beyond ongoing training, the strong relationship between staff, operators and maintenance workers at the Gunnedah CHPP also gives people the confidence to voice their opinion.

“We are continually learning from past experiences, changing and evolving our approach, and ensuring everyone is informed, focused, and looking after themselves and others,” added Ian.

“3000 days LTI-free is a record for all Whitehaven Coal sites and demonstrates that, with continued vigilance and an engaged workforce everyone can go home safe and well every day,” said Sarah Withell, Whitehaven Coal’s Executive General Manager – Health, Safety & Environment.

Pictured: Members of the Gunnedah CHPP team.

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