Industrial accidents are typically reported in terms of technological malfunctions, ignoring thehuman element in accident causation. However, over two-thirds of all accidents are attributableto human and organizational factors (e.g., planning, written procedures, job factors, training,communication, and teamwork), thereby affecting risk perception, behavior and attitudes. Thispaper reviews the development of WESKEM, LLC's Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H)Program that addresses human and organizational factors from a top-down, bottom-up approach.This approach is derived from the Department of Energy's Integrated Safety ManagementSystem. As a result, dispelling common myths and misconceptions about safety, whileempowering employees to "STOP work" if necessary, have contributed to reducing an unusuallyhigh number of vehicle, ergonomic and slip/trip/fall incidents successfully. Furthermore, thesafety culture that has developed within WESKEM, LLC's workforce consists of three commoncharacteristics: 1) all employees hold safety as a value; 2) each individual feels responsible forthe safety of their co-workers as well as themselves; and 3) each individual is willing and able to"go beyond the call of duty" on behalf of the safety of others. WESKEM, LLC as a company,upholds the safety culture and continues to enhance its existing ES&H program by incorporatingemployee feedback and lessons learned collected from other high-stress industries, therebyprotecting its most vital resource - the employees.The success of this program is evident by reduced accident and injury rates, as well as thenumber of safe work hours accrued while performing hands-on field activities. WESKEM, LLC(Paducah + Oak Ridge) achieved over 800,000 safe work hours through August 2002.WESKEM-Paducah has achieved over 665,000 safe work hours without a recordable injury orlost workday case since it started operations on February 28, 2000.
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