Shri Om Prakash Singh Sr. Mining Associate, Quarry South East, has been honored by Prime Ministers' "Shram Shree" Award for the year 2005. Shri O P Singh is the first employee of Tata Steel West Bokaro Division, who bagged the most prestigious award. On 14th August, 2007 Ministry of Labour and Employment Government of India announced the winners at New Delhi.

Shri O P Singh will receive cash award and a SANAD from Hon'ble Prime Minister at New Delhi in a glittering function very soon

The objective of the Prime Minister's Shram Awards is to recognize the outstanding contributions made by workmen as defined in the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 in organizations both in public and private sector and who have distinguished record of performance, devotion to duty of a high order, specific contribution in the field of productivity, proven innovative abilities, presence of mind and exceptional courage and also to the workmen who have made supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives in the conscientious discharge of their duties.

Shri Singh joined the Company in 1990 as a manual coal loader in underground mines. Currently he is working as Sr. Mining Associate operating Excavator and has been instrumental in achieving World-Class benchmark run hours and productivity from QSE

He started his career in Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) Operations as a Trainee Operator, operating small size (3 cubic meter bucket) excavator and upgraded his skills to higher capacity of equipment in the Company. He was selected from among Tata Steel employees as a Mining Associate in 2002 for the new mine in West Bokaro, showing extreme dedication, determination and grit he acquired the training and knowledge to become a highly skilled operator of HEMM.

Then Company bought a Hitachi 15 cubic meter bucket size Excavator, worth Rs. 12 crores for one of its new mine based on the assumption of reaping the benefits in terms of its capital invested and the operating cost (Rs.7400 per hour) since it relied on its operators ability to achieve the World benchmark parameters both in terms of machine run-hours and productivity. Shri Om Prakash Singh is one of the few operators who has shown his ability & skills in fulfilling both the parameters and has even bettered the records achieved outside India with similar machines.. During the last few years, he has operated the new machine beyond its potential productivity, giving him the distinction of being a World Class Operator. His rare skill makes him a highly effective and safe Excavator operator with no accident records and has been awarded accorded 'Shabash' awards several times. As a TPM member, the OEM (Hitachi) has incorporated his suggestions in modifying the original design defects.

In 2002 Tata Steel also bought India's First HEMM training Simulator from Australia, which is comparable to any flight Simulator, used for training pilots. He has the distinction of being the first one to be selected by the Australian Company as an Excavator Simulator Trainer from among his co-workers and has done stupendous job as a trainer. He has trained his co-workers in the field and also on simulator. He has been commended for his ability as a trainer from one on the Australian Trainer, as being a 'World Class trainer'.

He has exemplary and admirable attitude showing great concerns for safety and productivity. He is a true role model to co-workers within the Company and in India who exemplifies the belief that background does not come in a way of transforming one's own personality for the betterment of his Company and family.

West Bokaro Division has fully mechanized Eco-Friendly open cast mines producing 5.5 MT Raw Coal per year. The Division is also certified in Environment Management System ISO-14001 (first in coal industries), Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award, OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) 18001 and many other awards in different areas like SAFETY, QUALITY, CUSTOMER ORIENTATION etc.