Juarez electric motor plant earns A. O. Smith safety award
Milwaukee, Wis.—A comprehensive safety program aimed at involving employees in the effort to reduce accidents helped the A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company IG-MEX plant in Juarez, Mexico, earn the Lloyd B. Smith President’s Safety Award.
The award, which has been given annually since 1954, is A. O. Smith Corporation’s highest form of safety recognition. It is given to the company facility that compiles the best year-over-year improvement in workplace safety.
The 115 employees of the plant, which makes die cast components for electric motors, were presented with the award by Curtis Selby, global vice president-human resources for Electrical Products Company, in a special ceremony today.
In a videotaped message to employees, A. O. Smith Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Jones praised the plant’s efforts to improve safety.
“Maintaining a safe working environment in a die casting facility is always a challenge due to the nature of the equipment and the type of work you do. It takes a strong commitment on the part of plant management to set the right tone and promote safe practices. Your team has done a remarkable job in making safety a priority here,” Jones said.
“The competition among the plants to earn the President’s Safety Award is very spirited, and last year was no exception,” he continued. “A total of 36 A. O. Smith facilities worldwide competed for the President’s Safety award in 2009, and a number of them compiled very good records. That makes your accomplishment that much more special.”
A. O. Smith Corporation uses three statistical measures to determine a facility's safety performance:
• Lost workday case incidence rate--This measure relates to the most serious,
work-related injuries or illnesses that result in one or more lost work days. IG-MEX Plant 4 tied for second overall in this category;
• Recordable case incidence rate--Recordable incidents are significant, work-related injuries or illnesses beyond first aid as defined by the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Plant 4 placed first in this category;
• Lost workday incidence rate--This category measures a facility's total number of lost work days and provides a measure of accident severity. Plant 4 was second in this category.
Two plant safety committees, comprised of staff members as well as hourly employees, are responsible for managing IG-MEX Plant 4’s safety program. In addition to the plant program, the committees also coordinate the plant’s activities to comply with the Mexican government’s voluntary SASSMAT safety, health, and environment program.
Each year, the teams establish safety objectives for the plant. In 2009, Plant 4’s objectives were:
• Conduct a plant-wide assessment following A. O. Smith’s corporate health, safety, and the environment standards;
• Provide heath, safety, and environmental training for all plant employees;
• Implement lock-out/tag-out procedures for all equipment maintenance activities;
• Develop and implement corrective actions for any incidents in the plant.
The committees conduct routine inspections throughout the plant. The inspections determine that employees are using machine guards and personal protective equipment properly; they also monitor housekeeping in each work area.
The committees also establish and implement training programs for employees that cover a wide range of safety-related topics with an emphasis on operators following the proper safety instructions for their equipment. Over the last few years, the committees have developed simulation training to help promote safe work practices.
In addition, they hold promotional programs to keep employees aware of workplace safety.
The results have been impressive; Plant 4 has steadily decreased the number of accidents in the plant. In 2009, the plant recorded no accidents, and there have been no accidents through the first six months of 2010.
The members of the IG-MEX Plant 4 safety committee are: Raul Buenrostro, general manager; Francisco Valdez, safety coordinator and champion; Claudia Valdez, human resources; Israel Gallegos, quality; Mario Medrano, manufacturing; Daniel Velazquez, engineering and maintenance; Ruben Loya, materials; Nancy Ontiveros, safety manager-Mexican operations; Rosario Acosta, doctor; and Enrique Marquez, safety Engineer.
The Lloyd B. Smith President’s Safety Award is named after a former chief executive officer of the corporation and the great-grandson of the founder of A. O. Smith Corporation. He was noted for his ongoing concern for workplace safety and was instrumental in creating the original award program at a time when A. O. Smith was experiencing the highest levels of safety in its history.
A. O. Smith Corporation, with 2009 sales of $2.0 billion, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment, offering a comprehensive product line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China. A. O. Smith is also one of the largest manufacturers of electric motors for residential and commercial applications in North America.