• News Center
• :
• About Us
• :
• Gas Pipeline
• :
• Gasification
• :
• Products
• :
• CO2 Capture and Storage
• :
• Clean Energy

• Basin Today Magazine
• :
• Calendar
• :
• Event Registration
• :
• Feature Articles
• :
• Legislation
• :
• Maps and Directions
• :
• Media
• :
• News About Us
• :
• News Briefs
• :
• News Releases
• :
• Tours

Dakota Gas employees reach 1 million work-hours

Dakota Gas employees reach 1 million work-hours without lost-time accident.

Dakota Gasification Company - April 2, 2009

Bismarck, N.D. – It's an elusive goal. Dakota Gasification Company (Dakota Gas) employees at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, Beulah, N.D., have had it in sight since 2000. On March 27, at about 3 p.m., they reached it.

The goal: achieve 1 million work-hours without incurring a lost-time accident. The last lost-time accident occurred July 14, 2008. A lost-time accident is defined as an injury that causes any loss of time from work beyond the day or shift it occurred.

Gary Loop, senior vice president and COO of Dakota Gas, says he couldn't be more excited. "This is truly fantastic! This achievement shows just how serious employees are about safety being one of the three parts to being successful." He frequently reminds employees that success can only be attained if they pay attention to safety, production and the environment.

Loop credits employees' efforts to set new safety programs in place at the plant. "The new programs (SafeStart and PRIDE) were designed and implemented by the employees and backed by management. Clearly the programs are working and employees have proven themselves with stellar results. Our employees are clearly responsible for achieving this goal." About 700 people are employed at the Synfuels Plant.

Since May 1984, Dakota Gas employees have reached the 1-million-hour goal only four times, with the last being in May of 2000. Before that, the goal was achieved in February 1995, November 1987 and December 1984. Loop said there was a stretch when employees reached a 5-million-hour mark between August 1988 and October 1991.

Headquartered in Bismarck, Dakota Gas owns and operates the Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah, N.D. The plant produces natural gas and other byproducts from a coal gasification process. Dakota Gas is a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck.