Workplace Occupational Health And Safety
At Astec Industries safety is our number one priority. Our commitment is to protect our employees from workplaces health, safety and environmental hazards. Our employees should leave work in the same condition they came in.
Overview
Safety is everyone’s responsibility at Astec Industries. Employees have the right to a harm free workplace. Our environmental, health and safety (EHS) programming has been put in place to protect employees, and send them home each day in the same condition they arrived. Our programming focuses on leading indicators (training, QJSA’s, work observations, near miss), continuous improvement, risk reduction, speaking up, and good ergonomics. We strive for a zero harm workplace in all aspects of our business.
Best Practice Accountability
At Astec Industries we measure safety performance through leading indicators including near misses, quick job safety analysis (QJSA), and training. These categories help us plan for the work we do, learn from our mistakes, and train to the standards in place.
Astec Industries promotes open communication on safety issues through the Speak Up! Listen Up! safety communication training. This program enables our employees to be safety resources throughout our organization.
Our Safety Committees promote dialogue and continuous improvement through monthly meetings with the involvement of varying Astec employees (manufacturing employees, supervisors, and management). These meetings are in place to address EHS issues, foster open communication, provide training, and continually improve our programming.
We conduct workplace safety inspections at our manufacturing operations once a quarter to identify potential risks and create corrective action plans to improve our workplace safety.
Training
EHS training is necessary for the health and wellbeing of our employees. Astec Industries has implemented a new hire safety orientation SOP to standardize training throughout our organization. The SOP requires employees to go through eight hours of safety training during their new hire process. This enables us to mentor our new employees, and instill our One Astec Core Values into their new hire process.
Training programs include:
- Intelex: Safety Software
- Hoists and Cranes (Overhead)
- Machine Lock-Out/Tag-Out Procedure
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Forklift Truck Training
- Hazard Communication
- Hearing Conservation
- Respiratory Protection
- Rigging Training
Workplace Performance
At Astec industries we record the amount of near miss, first aids, and injuries. We calculate our incident rate and days away, restricted and transferred (DART) rate, and a percentage met for leading indicators. These components are measured through our Operational Excellence scorecard.
When an injury occurs we document the injury through an “It Happened to Us” report. This injury summary is shared across the organization for open communication, and training purposes.
Our Running with Scissors monthly safety newsletter outlines the previous month safety performance and metrics, and shares informational articles on the importance of safety at all levels of our organization.
Toolbox Talks
Our daily Toolbox Talks provides an informal way to have group discussions that focuses on a particular safety issue and to keep safety front and center in our minds. These short meetings take place daily at the beginning of the shift and they are designed to heighten employee awareness of workplace hazards and OHSA regulations.
Discussion Topics include:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Ladder Safety
- Fall Protection/Prevention
- Ergonomics
- Quality
- Production
- Hearing Conservation
- Maintenance Issues