Introducing the new plant manager of the Lafarge Ravena plant, Mike Kralik.

Watch the video for Kralik’s update on plant operations and his plans for the plant’s future.

In addition to the success of Lafarge Ravena’s quarry in safety, the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) also recognized the Lafarge Ravena plant with its prestigious national Certificate of Achievement in Safety. In 2011, the 122 Lafarge employees logged 194,595 hours at its Ravena Plant without any days away from work. The award is made following MSHA review of plant safety performance in 2011.

Each year Lafarge and other MSHA-regulated surface mining operations are required by federal law to submit annual injury and employment data for safety review. Surface mining operations qualifty for the award when reports show no injuries resulting in fatality, permanent disability, days away from work, or days of restricted work activity during a minimum of 4,000 employee work hours. In 2011, Lafarge had no incidents in the plant resulting in days away from work. Not only does this award recognize Lafarge’s Ravena plant, but it also demonstrates the diligent safety efforts of the Lafarge employees.

The U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) awarded the Lafarge Ravena Quarry its prestigious national Certificate of Achievement in Safety. During 2011, the 24 Lafarge quarry employees logged 54,715 hours at its limestone mine without any days away from work due to injuries. This award assesses mine safety by reviewing reports from prior years, honoring Lafarge for its safety achievement in 2011.

In accordance with federal law, Lafarge and other MSHA-regulated mining operations submit annual injury and employment data for safety review. Quarrying operations qualify for the award when reports show no injuries resulting in fatality, permanent disability, days away from work, or days of restricted work activity during a minimum of 4,000 employee work hours. During 2011, Lafarge had no incidents at the quarry that resulted in days away from work. This award not only recognizes Lafarge Ravena’s quarry operations, but also emphasizes the conscientious efforts of Lafarge employees to stay safe on the job.

This is the third time in six years that MSHA has honored the Lafarge Ravena Quarry for its achievement in safety. Lafarge Ravena also received the Safety Innovation Award from the Portland Cement Association in 2008. These awards further highlight Lafarge Ravena’s commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

We snapped a few pictures of the latest modernization work taking place at the Ravena Plant.

The crews are installing caissons, or supports, for the deep foundations that will support the production equipment and buildings at the new plant. This phase of the project is expected to last into next year.

Construction of the modernized Ravena Plant has included grading the land to make it level, building new roads for construction equipment and drainage systems to move rain runoff efficiently from the site. Sewer and water lines and electrical cables have also been relocated to make room for modernized facility.

The machine shown above is drilling holes for the caissons needed to support our modernized plant’s new tower.

This is the formed rebar that will be used to strengthen the integrity of those supports. The rebar support will be lowered into the drilled hole and filled with concrete.

Construction workers installing a rebar support.

Workers begin preparing for construction of the next support.

There are more pictures on the way.

The latest edition of Lafarge Ravena’s Around the Block newsletter has just hit doorsteps across the region. It features an in-depth look at the modernization project, amazing photos from our successful “Fire Fall” event, as well as a report about a “little” swim Martin and I took in Hudson over the summer.

Click here to check it out.