The fifth NSG Group Safety Award has been awarded to Automotive AGR Europe for their ‘Step change in the safety culture’ project.
This project is culturally very important and demonstrates a step change that fundamentally addresses the behaviours of all managers and employees. It reversed the former negative Safety trend. There is a focus on local teams delivering a consistent approach, with support from senior managers to improvement projects to demonstrate that safety is a core part of the AGR Europe business philosophy.
The winner was chosen from a shortlist of ten projects out of 310 entries in total.
The judging panel made the following four additional Commendations:
- Sagamihara plant, Creative Technology, Information Device, Japan: ‘Detection system for safety of solo shift workers’
The team implemented an innovative detection system to improve the safety of individuals working in isolation. The system is GPS, internet and e-mail driven and got selected and implemented by the team as part of a Quality Circle improvement activity.
- Greengate site, Architectural Glass, UK: ‘Warehouse Reorganization Project’
The project significantly reduces the accident risks by moving away from crane grab operations and introducing side-loaders. A full warehouse reorganization was required to challenge the existing process efficiencies and maximize cost saving initiatives whilst implementing the latest safety philosophies and NSG Best Practices.
- Automotive operations in Argentina: ‘EHS Monitoring System in Forklifts’
The team replaced old forklifts with new ones with a tracking and shock sensor system. The system provides digital checklists for drivers prior to using the forklifts. It includes frequent feedback meetings with forklift drivers to analyse the tracking system results.
- AGR Distribution Centre, Caçapava, Brazil: ‘Safety Team Empowerment’
The implementation of Gemba Walks together with the shop floor employees allowed an open and clear safety communication. This resulted to more employees taking responsibility over the EHS actions and having more confidence about the risks associated with daily operations, and readiness to initiate improvement actions where required.
The judging panel was encouraged to see major safety challenges being met. They focused on significant risk reduction, wider employee involvement, transferability and the idea itself.
All the projects clearly demonstrated a high level of commitment to safety, a factor that can help the Group achieve the highest level of safety in an all-industry basis.