The World Steel Association Renews Calls for a Safer Industry by Making Steel Safety Day an Annual Event

worldsteel_worldsteel-logo2Brussels, 10 March 2015 – The World Steel Association (worldsteel) announces today the launch of the second annual Steel Safety Day. Established in 2014, Steel Safety Day was set up to reinforce awareness of the five most common causes of safety incidents and to create a safer working environment across the entire steel industry worldwide. By focusing on the five causes – moving machinery, falling from heights, falling objects, gas & asphyxiation, and moving cranes – worldsteel intends to set up a continuous improvement process and reiterate its commitment to the safety and health of the people who work in the industry.

Ahead of Steel Safety Day worldsteel is requesting all its members and the wider steel industry to carry out an extensive safety audit on the five main causes of incidents between now and the Steel Safety Day on April 28th.

Each year one of the five causes will be highlighted and more focus will be given to raise awareness of the cause and how to prevent associated risks. This year’s Steel Safety Day focuses on moving machinery and worldsteel urges all steel producers to ensure reliable lockout procedures are in place to disable risks caused by moving machinery.

Edwin Basson, Director General of worldsteel said: “The steel industry’s ultimate goal is to create an injury-free, illness-free and healthy workplace with zero incidents.  This is why we established Steel Safety Day in 2014, and why we are pleased to make this an annual, industry-wide event. We urge all steel producers and related organisations to join the Steel Safety Day and take part in this crucial industry-wide safety audit.”

Dr Wolfgang Eder, Chairman of worldsteel and Chairman and CEO of voestalpine, said: “We believe that excellence in safety and health drives excellent business results. Prevention of injuries and illnesses creates a competitive advantage by having our most valuable resource – our people – at work. Some businesses have managed to produce steel without injuries for many years. This should be a goal for everyone in our industry. The core aspects of successful safety programmes are proactive engagement of all employees and contractors, strong leadership and direct involvement from management, and sharing of information and experience within the industry.”

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• The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 170 steel producers (including 17 of the world’s 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production.