Exploration drilling contractor and supplier Boart Longyear was cited as having the lowest reported Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) in 2008 for all companies listed in a recent Citibank Investment Research and Analysis safety report. The report included ASX100 companies that report safety data in the mining and heavy industries, retail, hospitality and other industries.

Commenting on the independent survey, Craig Kipp, CEO, indicated, “Safety is an integral part of the Boart Longyear corporate culture. Our safety performance is best in class and is recognised by our major mining clients as a key competitive differentiator. Over the past several years we have invested significant time and resources in training and development, global EH&S reporting systems and safer work practices. As a result of this investment and the hard work and diligence of our employees around the world, our LTIR declined by 59% and our TCIR declined by 34% in 2008, as compared to the low rates we experienced in 2007. We will continue to improve in this area and have established a goal of further reducing these incident rates by 50% by 2011.”

The report included information provided by Boart Longyear Drilling Services, active in more than 40 countries, and manufacturing operations, which the company maintains in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, Poland, Germany and South Africa. Products manufactured from its nine locations often receive feedback directly from the company’s drillers in the field and have included such safety benefits as automated rod management, remote and cable control systems and better guarding and enclosures for moving parts at the operator level.