The company will know on August 14 whether it takes out the awards, which will be presented by New South Wales resources minister Don Harwin.   

In the Health Excellence category, Coal & Allied identified that some miners at their Hunter Valley operations exceeded maximum weight ratings of mobile equipment seats, potentially exposing them to greater risk of acute and chronic back injuries. 

Coal & Allied in conjunction with Coal Services Health implemented a strategy to address this issue in a considerate and sensitive manner.                  

A site based weight management program achieved success in working with miners and their families to lose weight, improve lifestyle habits and reduce the risk of injury while at work.

In the Community Excellence category, Coal and Allied’s Enterprise Facilitation program was established in 2015 in response to economic impacts of the mining downturn, need for economic diversification in the Upper Hunter region and as a way of helping the local community.

The program is a partnership with the Sirolli Institute, and employs an Enterprise Facilitator (EF) within Coal and Allied’s Environment & Community team. 

Trained by the Sirolli Institute the EF’s role is to provide free advice to assist local entrepreneurs, business owners and community groups to establish, strengthen or expand local businesses and social enterprises.

This work is supported by a network of volunteers with experience and networks across various business disciplines. 

To date the EF has attracted more than 100 clients at various stages in the business cycle in the Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter region. At least a dozen new businesses have commenced operation and a number of Social Enterprises have also been assisted.