MENU
CLOSE
When he picked up a new pair of cowboy boots for the 2023 Mine Safety & Health Conference, Simplot Mining Safety Manager Robert “Whompa” Roberts knew he’d be well-shod for the annual event in Reno, Nevada. What he didn’t know was that he would be walking on stage in those boots to receive the Distinguished Safety Professional of the Year award!
The award was a well-deserved and well-kept surprise for Roberts; neither his team nor his wife breathed a word until the night before. “They kept it very well hidden from me ‘til last minute … everybody was really good at keeping the secret,” he said, adding that he was very excited when they told him the news.
The Distinguished Safety Professional of the Year award is open to those who have given 10 years or more in the safety field and who have contributed to creating, enhancing, and improving the safety culture overall. Roberts was selected for the prestigious honor by a panel of judges whose criteria was:
Roberts remembers seeing folks win the award over the years; he has attended the MSHA conference since the very beginning. “And I thought, what a neat way to really look at people and their outstanding performance … to do it in front of your peers and other industries. And not only that, but you have a lot of folks from the MSHA world there as well. I thought, how neat would it be to someday get that award?”
In the application nominating Roberts for Distinguished Safety Professional of the Year, Director of Mining Chad Gentry summed up Roberts’ wide and lasting impact. “As a safety professional, he is truly one of the best out there, not just because of his technical knowledge, but mainly because of his passion for people,” said Gentry. “All three of our mines’ safety cultures have grown and developed over time, and this is a result of Whompa’s leadership.
“Whompa’s story is impressive in so many ways, not least because he has both overcome tragedy and found great success. He has been an inspiration to so many people both within our company and in his local community.”
Roberts lost his right arm in a snowmobiling accident in 1998. After, it was hard to find an employer willing to take a chance on him, he said. He spent the year following the accident looking for a job, applying for numerous positions in the Star Valley, Wyoming area where he’s lived with his family for decades.
“I could handle the thought of losing my arm. It was the thought of not having a job to support my family was probably the thing that scared me more than anything,” he recalled.
Roberts says he remembers the day Simplot called with a job offer like it was yesterday. That was Nov. 1, 1999. He had friends who worked at Smoky and were confident he could handle the job. But those who didn’t know him were skeptical.
Roberts as determined to prove himself in his new position. “I made my mind up right then and there. If they're going to give me a chance, I'm gonna work twice as hard as anyone else would have to.”
Over the next several years, Roberts proved his supporters right, moving through various positions in the Company, from big haul truck driver to drills to blasting. Then one day a surveyor job came open and piqued his interest. And though Roberts had never opened a computer in his life, he decided to go for it.
He enrolled at the local community college and learned AutoCAD while also learning computer skills. He passed the class and was offered the surveyor job, which he held for several years.
That job sparked a larger interest for Roberts. “It got me in the office a lot more, and I started really getting involved in safety committee stuff, first aid and doing some of that training. And that's when I really thought, you know what? The safety career might be something that intrigues me.”
On Jan. 25, 2007, Simplot hired Roberts as the safety specialist for Smoky Canyon. He was promoted to Safety Manager in 2015, and last year accepted a role as the Mining Safety Manager for Simplot, providing support and oversight over all three of Simplot’s surface mines. The incident rate for Smoky Canyon in 2007 when Roberts started in safety was 3.0, and currently the rate is zero!
According to Roberts, the most important part of building a safety culture lies with people and how you treat them.
“You know, years ago I heard the saying – and I've lived up to that saying – ‘People really don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.’” he recalled. “I think the real key to being a good safety person is that people know that you care. Speaking from the heart is key, so people know that,” he said.
Simplot Senior Director of Safety Alicia Duke confirms that in addition to having experience and multiple professional certifications, Roberts’ heart sets him apart from others. “His passion to influence people’s behaviors for the good, and to make them feel valued and part of the team, are invaluable qualities,” she said. “Employees are comfortable coming to Whompa, and he will discuss safety concerns in a way that makes them part of the solution.
Roberts is quick and emphatic with his gratitude for the Company and his co-workers, mentioning Gentry’s support in particular. “I value his leadership and enjoy collaborating with him. I’ve sure loved working for him.” The feeling is mutual, as Gentry pointed out in the application nominating Roberts for the award. “At times in safety, we tend to focus on the negative and unsafe behaviors. However, Whompa has a gift for recognizing the good and turning a not-so-positive event into a learning experience that can be shared and used as a teachable moment for all.”
Though he says he’s slowing down, it sure sounds like Roberts is still going full steam ahead.
In addition to his safety work at Simplot, Roberts has served on the Star Valley Search & Rescue for 25 years and on the Afton, Wyoming Volunteer Fire Department for 10. Only recently he’s transitioned to an honorary role with the agencies due to work travel.
And under Roberts’ safety leadership, the Smoky Canyon team was also recently recognized with National Mining Association’s Sentinels of Safety Award for 2022. You can learn more about that prestigious honor here.
“Yeah, it’s been a great year,” Roberts said with a big smile.
Learn More
Listen to a local radio interview with Roberts about the awards.
Find out about Simplot mines and the work we do there.
