Colombian Safety Council Awards Cerrejón on the Effectiveness of Its Occupational Health and Safety Programmes
May 28, 2012
On Monday May 28th Roberto Junguito, President of Cerrejón and Luis Germán Meneses, Vice-president of Operations, received the ‘Emerald Cross’ medal in the Excellence category. Each year, the Colombian Safety Council (CCS, its Spanish acronym) gives this award among its members.
The Council grants this recognition after an evaluation and review of activities and results on safety, health and environmental management.
In 2011, Cerrejón achieved its coal exports goals with no fatalities among employees and contractors in the operation. Likewise, accident rates were the lowest in company’s history, lower than the industry’s average.
On the environment, the company maintained effective dust emission controls at The Mine and Puerto Bolívar and among other initiatives, exceeded the target of rehabilitated land areas.
Renán Alfonso Rojas Gutiérrez, CCS President, conferred the award to Cerrejón’s President, in a ceremony that highlighted the commitment shown by the company in pursuit of these objectives.
Together with Cerrejón, 16 other companies from Cali, Bogota and the Atlantic Coast were recognized this year with the 'Emerald Cross'. The number of companies being awarded is lower for 2012 than in 2011 (34) due to accident rate increase, contrary to what happened in Cerrejón.