Mountaineer Guardian History:

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training and the West Virginia Coal Association (Mining and Reclamation Association) established the Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards Program in 1983 as a joint effort to promote safety in the coal fields of West Virginia. This special program gives recognition to mining workplaces where employees have accumulated qualifying amounts of production without experiencing a fatal accident. Mining Operations are divided into categories, based on the number of employees.

In 1997, the Mountaineer Guardian Safety program was extensively revised. The most important change was to include the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training inspection personnel in the selection process. Each inspector may nominate mines/facilities for consideration. Representatives of the sponsoring agencies review those regional nominations and selections for the awards are made from that list.

Selection Criteria:

• Mine/facility must be fatal free for the award period.

• Safety Program (initiatives by the company)

• Co-operative efforts (company works with inspectors—abates violations—good faith)

• Violation History

Beginning with the 2008 program, two mining operations are singled out for each year for special recognition, and receive the  Milestones of Safety Awards.

The 2009 Mountaineer Guardian Awards were presented at the 37th  Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium (sponsored by the West Virginia Coal Association Inc.) in February, 2010.

To view lists of the 2009 Mountaineer Guardian Award Winners click on the links below:

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