Alacero – Santiago, Chile, December 10, 2014. Last October, worldsteel, the association that gathers the steel producers at a global level, awarded the “Safety and Health Excellence Recognition” to six initiatives of the industry.
Three programs developed by Alacero´s members (Arcelor Mittal Tubarao, Brazil; Gerdau Brazil and Ternium Argentina and Mexico) were among the winners.
All six programs demonstrated a commitment to safety and health that fulfilled three key criteria: 1) The program positively embraced the worldsteel safety and health principles; 2) The program was able to demonstrate a positive impact upon safety metrics; 3) The program could easily be applied to other member companies.
ArcelorMittal Tubarao Brazil introduced ‘Quality of Life Program’ aimed at a healthier life and a zero accident environment. One activity launched in 2000, a health campaign focused at reducing smoking amongst its employees and reached the goal in 2010 with no employees smoking during working hours. The set of actions from the program resulted in the improvement of employees’ health indicators, which reflected on productivity. The company currently has 92% of its employees on its ‘best health profile’. The program can
be perfectly applied to other companies with minor adjustments. Gerdau Brazil developed Safety behavior management assessment. It is comprised of six evaluation points
which are focused on people’s behavior. The company’s safety corporate team assesses each plant twice a year and produces a specific report with details on the areas for improvements as well as recommendations.
Thanks to the programme, the company’s special steel plants in Brazil were able to increase the average level of the check points from 1.0 in 2011 to 3.1 in 2013.
Ternium Argentina/Mexico implemented a ‘Logistics Safety Preventive Action Plan’ to prevent accidents in the supply chain department. An analysis identified four main areas of concern: securing loads, working on the platform, loading and unloading, and warehouse and coil yard personnel access. The company implemented safety practices designed to address each area and it resulted in 90% reduction on the LTIFR since its launch in 2009.
Joon-Yang Chung, worldsteel’s Chairman for 2013/2014, said: “Communication is vital to create a safer working environment which is the main purpose of this recognition. The companies recognized this year not only have shown a continued commitment to leadership in safety and health by demanding uncompromising safety standards but have also helped the industry get a step closer to the goal of an injury-free and healthy workplace by sharing their knowledge and experiences”.
The other three recognized programs belong to the following steel companies: Celsa Huta Ostrowiec (Poland), Essar Steel Hazira (India) Tata Steel Europe (Netherlands).
About Alacero
Alacero –the Latin American Steel Association– is the organization that brings together the Steel Value Chain of Latin America to promote the values of regional integration, technological innovation, corporate responsibility, excellence in human resources, safe working environments, and social and environmental sustainability. Founded in 1959, Alacero is formed by 50 companies in 25 countries, whose production –of about 70 million annual tons– represents 95% of the steel manufactured in the region. Alacero is a Special Consulting Organization to the United Nations and is recognized as International Non-Government Organization by the Republic of Chile, host country of Alacero´s headquarters.