Document RJvMD09r2xMqpvRebXaNK5NJX

TO; Leominster Supervision SUBJECT: SAFETY FROM; W. J. Holloway LOCATED AT: Leominster, Mass, DATE: March 21, 1966 The attached perspective will be the guide for all decisions in regard to safety problems on the Leominster site. Flease study it carefully. It is your responsibility to understand it, getting as much help from your supervisor as necessary to be able to apply it to your assigned area. This perspective will also serve as a memory jogger that we haven't forgot any of the programs already started. It is my intention to keep after this until every man on the site becomes safety conscious, "A moment spent on safety may prevent an eternity of suffering," L/W. J. Holl _ Works Manager BOR 005777 PERSPECTIVE ON SAFETY It has been said that there are four requirements for an effective safety program. 1. Top Management Leadership 2. A Safe and Healthful Place to Work 3. Proper Training and Supervision 4. Employee Participation and Interest The Seminar on January 22, 1966 made crystal clear through several levels of supervision that Borden's Interest In safety is ouch higher than was generally thought to be. It also obtained a mutuality of understanding regarding the safety problems of the various groups represented. This gives us a firm basis from which to proceed with the development of a good and lasting safety program. So let's all get a perspective on it that can be used as a guide to daily action. DEFINITIONS Absolute Safety is Elimination of Exposure ("No Sharp Edges") Practical Safety Is Reduction of Exposure Qur Safety Program is Reduction through Understanding of Exposure or the concept of Taking these letters in reverse order: 1. What constitutes ? All the known and unknown exposures of our operations, such as: (a) Exposure to cuts and bruises sharp edges, head knockers, hand and power tools of all kinds, flying chips from percussive tools, etc. (b) Exposure to body strains - lifting too much or im properly, working in awkward positions, strain due to a second person involved In the job, etc. BOR 005778 -2- (c) Exposur to uncontrolled sources normal energy steam hoses, air hoses, line breakag s of all kinds, steaming lln s, electrical shocks, excessive heat, excessive cold with all their ramifications, etc* (d) Exposure to chemicals - any kind or degree of toxicity, anesthesia, or chemical burn, etc* (e) Exposure to falling - unprotected heights, poor stairs. Improper ladders, large openings in tanks and vessels and sewers, slippery or poorly lighted walk areas, poor housekeeping, etc* (f) Exposure to explosions - explosive mixtures and sources of Ignition In tanks, buildings and en closures, even outside* This Includes all sources of static generation as well as normal ignition of explosive mixtures. Almost any fire. If allowed to go unchecked, could lead to explosion, etc* (g) All other exposures. 2. What constitutes ? Understanding In this context means "Cur understanding of the problenf' in such a complete light that we, therefore, know how to deal with It* Once we get the proper perspective on the problem it will become clear what approach or conbinatlon of approaches should be used to reduce the exposure. One of the best techniques for getting this perspective at any problem area in the plant Is to stand back a little and say, "What Is the worst thing that could happen here?" Then pursue the thought with such questions as, "How likely is It to happen"? "Whet would 1 do If It did happen", "What training should 1 do to prevent Its happening?", "What simple change in equipment would reduce the hazards?", or "Is it a big hazard no one else has yet recognized?" Having asked these questions, let's now look at "Understanding" on the rather single basis of (1) Severity and (2) Probable Frequency per the following scales; 1. Severity BOR 00S779 L_ Least Severity I Serious Injury 1 1 Fatality 2. Probably Frequency 1 10^- Fatallties 1 Greatest Severity 1________ i____ 1 Very low Frequency 1/Year 10/Year 1 100/Year 1 Very High Frequency Every exposure we bsve could be pi tted somewhere on th above two scale8. Our objective Is to bring each problem as far to the left on the abov scales as possible. The approach to high severity exposure la to use the best mechanical safeguards possible, plus whatever training is required to insure proper use of these. Early warning and good defensive systems are also required. This applies to operational defensive systems as well as fire and explosion defensive systems. When the severity Is very low, the approach Is usually to correct the "probable frequency" through awareness training. Very high frequency situations usually require a combination of protective devices and awareness training. 3. What constitutes ? Every step that Is taken to reduce the exposure and make this a safer place to work, such as: (a) Improved design and layout of equipment such as kettles, manholes, safety devices both automatic and manual, alarm systems, gratings, railings, size reduction of vessel openings, equipment guards. Inerting systems, ventilation systems, head space, work areas, etc. are In this category. (b) Care for the upkeep of all mechanical and eafety aspects of the facilities. Avoid deterioration. V-belt check schedules. Inert gas monitoring, fire protection and emergency equipment check lists are all In this category. (c) Early warning and defensive actions well trained Into the people. This applies to any situation or exposure where there Is a time lapse between the first signal of danger and the point where It gets out of control. Fire, leaks, chemical reactions, polymerizations, and some equipment problems are treated this way. All of the drilling of brigades and production people are connected with this aspect. (d) Setting clear cut limits on certain operations where you don't allow continuance If they are worse than the safe limit. This applies to fork lift trucks as well as kettles, mechanical drives, etc. In these cases, it is your responsibility to know or find out who has retained the authority to make the decision, if the limit point Isn't understood. (e) Awareness leads to avoidance of exposure, technical understanding through the present Technical classes will reduce exposure. Most of the teaching and trainings are based on this principle. Since experience Is th best teacher. In depth reviews of all Incidents and accidents is v ry important* BOR 005780 (f) The achievement f a Safety Attitude by each man is very important. This is a very personal matt r and is affected by the overall cllmat Motivational forces tailored to each mag mast be brought to bear constantly by his supervisor* It is not a simple matter of disciplinary measures vs* selling* It is every supervisor's responsibility to his men, as well as to himself and the Company, to make an honest effort every day to Improve the Safety Attitude of his men* Weekly meetings, movies, and demonstrations are for the purpose of achieving a safety attitude* (g) The physical health of each man mist be taken into consideration* This applies to bis. treatment in general by the supervisor, as well as Job assignments> Physical examinations will become part of the safety program* (b) The recognition of new situations - Hew employees, new installations, time deterioration of old installations, changed complexity and mass must all be considered for their effect on safety* Retained authorities by the Works Manager recently published are intended to help keep everyone aware of these recognitions* WJH/scm W. j* Holloway Works Manager BOR 005781