The team, headed by executive vice president Ryoji Terakado, is responsible for implementing contingency plans in case of an emergency and for responding to suppliers, customers, and others. The risk-management team is developing a checklist of actions in case of an emergency. The team will check a standby generator to make sure it's operating in case the electricity goes out. A power outage could stop the flow of gas and create a vacuum in the blast furnace, Yoshitake says. This could cause gas to pool in one part of the system and trigger an explosion.
Computers also control the furnace's cooling water.
Emergency backup equipment and systems at the steelworks also are being checked. Important data in computer systems is being stored at an off-site facility. The company is focusing its efforts on preventing accidents that might damage the trust between Nippon Steel and the community and between the steelmaker and its customers. The company especially is concerned about ensuring that people's lives aren't endangered. It also wants to ensure accurate deliveries and to prevent any accident that might halt production for a long time.