IMPROVING SAFETY PERFORMANCE IN AN ALUMINIUM CASTHOUSE

摘要

Improving safety performance in any Aluminium Casthouse has been an objective or obsession for as long as aluminium has been converted from liquid to solid and we haven't been any different in the eighteen years of Tomago's operation. Much has been written about safety being more important than productivity, but is it? Safety in a modern aluminium smelter has to compete alongside cost reduction, quality improvement, continuous improvement, productivity and a variety of key performance indicators used to measure our efficiency. So where should we concentrate our efforts to improve our safety performance? Is it just about good statistics or are we really trying to develop a "zero injury work environment". If we spend all of our time correcting hazardous conditions, maintaining control and safety systems, have we in fact: missed an opportunity that will reap the most benefit ― changing the way people behave in the workplace. This paper will explore the contribution of the people factor in improving safety performance in the Cast Products Department at Tomago Aluminium.