“World Class” Safety Background

A few global companies have developed a strong and mature safety process and a level of employee ownership, when combined result in superior safety performance.  

These companies have 3 underlying beliefs: 

1. Accidents are preventable
2. Compliance with law is just a minimum – do more as need to eliminate risks
3. Safety process is the same regardless of what you do, what products you make or services you deliver – same elements (auditing, incident investigation, training, recognition, discipline, safety meetings)

These companies have 3 common practices in place:

1.     Visible management commitment and involvement,

2.     Safety process is owned by the organizational leadership (manufacturing, service)

3.     Employee involvement in safety improvement activities and teams

Companies:  DuPont, Milliken, Air Products, ICI, IBM, Dow, Shell, Procter and Gamble, Trucast (a UK –based metal alloy, foundry, turbocharger housings); Honeywell Turbochargers, Truck Brakes and Aerospace.  DuPont is probably the best in the world among large multi-national corporations.  DuPont has 120,000 employees, 300+ sites in 40+ countries in various chemical, agricultural, manufacturing and mining/ refinery operations.   

World Class Safety Performance:  established by industry, National Safety Council, Bureau of Labor Statistics data

ü  Total case incidence rate (TCIR):  0.7 or less

ü  Lost workday case incidence rate (LWCIR):  0.07 or less

(NOTE - some companies above may be in the TCIR=1 and LWCIR=0.1 range).

TRAPS:  Don’t get trapped into the following:

1. We’re different.  World class is a lot of chemical companies – NOT TRUE – two reasons:
   1. Safety is safety – Safety is a process of identifying and resolving risks.  It doesn’t matter what products you make or services you deliver.  All activities have risks and they need to be managed or eliminated if possible.
   2. The best companies in the world span several industries including chemicals, aerospace, automotive, foundry operations, computers, carpets, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.

2. We’re OK if we are above the SIC rates – NOT TRUE – SIC codes represent average performance.  We don’t strive to be average in production, quality, delivery or service.  We will not strive to be average in safety.  We want to be the best and prevent all injuries. So we measure ourselves against the best.