Project Safety Highlights - Mining
Dry Valley Phosphate Mine, Idaho
Washington Division operates the Dry Valley phosphate mine under a five-year contract awarded by Agrium in 2005. The company has had a continuous presence in the region that provides the United States with its only domestic supply of elemental phosphorus, as well as phosphoric acid fertilizer.
Washington Division employees at the mine produce approximately 2.3 million tons of ore annually for Agrium’s nearby fertilizer production plant. The Washington Division team also is responsible for waste management, water control, and reclamation.
The Dry Valley Mine is located at an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet. Because it operates year round, its 100 employees are subject to severe and prolonged winter weather conditions such as snow, rain, fog, slippery roads and temperatures falling to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these challenging conditions, the project maintained a days away and recordable injury rate of zero.
2006 Highlights
- Proactive programs were used to improve safety performance. These included a program to emphasize awareness and prevention of slips, trips, falls, and hand and finger injuries.
- Stand-downs for safety and meetings were held to emphasize safety awareness and safe work practices.
- The mine emphasized use of a safe work plan at the start of each shift, increasing safety awareness during operations.