Diamonds are forever

Just mention the word “diamond“ in your next conversation and see how many people direct their attention toward you. OK, most of them might be female, but you can’t deny the power of this word used to describe those shiny little gems.

Combine diamond with the word “safety” and, if you are in our line of business, you might realise this means a rock solid safety performance. In the case of Rinker Materials’ Orchards asphalt plant in Vancouver, Washington and the Foster Road asphalt plant in Portland, Oregon this is exactly what it means.

The National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA) recently announced that these two plants earned NAPA’s Diamond Achievement Commendation for Excellence in Hot Mix Asphalt Plant and Site Operations. Well done to both these plants.

The commendation is designed to recognise producers that operate in an exemplary manner. The program’s criteria focuses on safety, community relations, operations, appearance, permit and regulatory compliance and environmental practices.

“Both facilities spent the better part of a year focusing on the requirements to pass the evaluation,” says Jeff Schwarz, former asphalt division manager and presently manager of business development. “We are very proud of our people who worked for these achievements.”

The operations were further recognised as industry leaders when the Asphalt Paving Association of Oregon awarded Rinker Materials’ Portland/Vancouver division with the APAO 2005 Environmental Award. Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to make our operations as exceptional as those shiny little gems.

Zero4Life: Arizona’s excellence in safety

At Rinker, it’s no secret that we strive to achieve excellence in safety. When we win awards for our safety efforts, our achievements are not only visible to our people, further encouraging them to raise the bar, but our industry as a whole.

Adding to this encouragement, Rinker Materials’ Glendale aggregate and asphalt plant in Arizona was honoured for its superior safety record at the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association luncheon in Washington, D.C. late last year. Mike Jackson, plant superintendent, Bud Hart, asphalt operator and Tim McQuitty, safety manager, attended the awards and received second place for the Large Plant Category. This plant worked nine consecutive years without an injury.

The Maricopa aggregate plant in Arizona also performed well, receiving fifth place late last year in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Sentinels of Safety Awards for the Large Pit Group.

The plant worked 101,473 hours without a medically-treated injury (MTI). Terry Hudson, east side aggregate manager and Ivan McKinney, superintendent, accepted the award on behalf of the plant.

In recognition of our people’s outstanding safety achievements, both plants hosted a BBQ, giving away hats and t-shirts to reward working toward Zero4Life.