Communication Management supports immediate communication and action to address safety problems, so the company has developed a comprehensive system of communication. Safety policies and practices are included in all written documentation including job descriptions, procedures, and annual employee performace evaluations at all levels. Employee-generated upward communication is open and complete. Frontline operators file incident reports on spills of at least 50 pounds of dry or 5 gallons of liquid materials. They also file near misses to identify unsafe situations, work practices, or behaviors so that preventative measures can be taken.
Operators initiate corrective action without pre-approval of a supervisor.
Operators also submit work orders directly to maintenance when safety problem correction requires additional equipment, manpower, or expertise. If an operator feels that the corrective action order is not getting the attention it should, then the operator, or the safety representative, approaches the Quality Manager to do followup as frequently as needed until the situation is adequately resolved. The checklist may be posted in the work area for the assigned person's benefit. The safety steering committee organizes safety awareness through posters, newspaper articles and other postings on the company bulletin boards, and safety-related articles in the company newsletter. In a recent incident, an operator spilled 5 gallons of material when a 55 gallon plastic drum slipped out of a drum dumpster used for controlled pours of this material from steel drums.