HECLA GREENS CREEK CELEBRATES SAFETY MILESTONE
MILL OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT LOGS DECADE WITHOUT INJURY
BJ Orr, Mill Operations Shift Coordinator, 2016 "In the mill, we deal with a lot of hazards every day, from chemicals, tripping hazards, moving parts and heavy equipment all in the same environment. Working safely means always staying alert to those risks, not getting complacent and constantly reas- sessing what’s around you as conditions change. It also means controlling what you can, speaking up when something isn’t right and making sure you’re always aware of both your own task and the bigger picture around you so hazards are caught before they lead to an incident. "We hold each other accountable by having con- versations and leading by example. It's not about getting someone in trouble — it's about making sure everyone goes home safe. When safety becomes everyone's responsibility instead of just manage- ment's, accountability feels like teamwork rather than punishment." Tyler Ellis, Assay Lab Tech VI, 2016 "Before this, I worked in analytical labs doing water chemistry — municipal, environmental, that kind of work. There were real hazards, chemical exposure, the standard lab risks. But it's a different category than this. Fire assay involves open flame, molten metal, lead and flux at temperatures that don't leave room for error. The AA work here means stronger acid matrices and higher-stakes sample volumes than anything I dealt with in water testing. The con- sequence of a lapse is just higher here. That context makes the 10-year record more meaningful to me, not less — this isn't a low-hazard environment where a clean record is easy to maintain.
COURTESY GREENS CREEK MINE Safety is measured one shift, one decision and one day at a time. At Greens Creek Mine, that commit- ment has added up to an extraordinary milestone. On Jan. 16, 2026, the Greens Creek mill department marked 10 years without a lost-time injury (LTI) — representing roughly 1.2 million hours worked without an LTI. The achievement reflects a sustained commitment to safe work practices, teamwork and looking out for one another across the mill operation. Employees who have helped build that safety culture say the milestone is about more than a number. It represents the daily choices made by crews, super- visors and individuals to put safety first and ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of each shift. Five longtime Greens Creek mill employees — with years of service ranging from 2009 to 2018 — share their perspectives on what the milestone means and the culture that helped make it possible: Tommy Martin, Mill Operations Shift Coordinator, 2009 "Working at Greens Creek for most of the last 10 years has given me the opportunity to contribute to our outstanding safety record. As a shifter, I believe we have built a strong safety culture where everyone looks out for one another every day. "Our mill operators take the time to think through each task before acting instead of rushing into it, and that mindset has helped keep people safe. "As we move toward year 11, we aren't focused on the number — we simply take it one shift at a time and continue doing the right things."
INNOVATIVE MINING
Innovation is the bedrock on which we operate. We invest in technologies that help keep our workers safe, reduce our environmental impact, and increase our production.
HECLA | RESPONSIBLE. SUSTAINABLE. INNOVATIVE.
hecla.com/operations/greens-creek-alaska
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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