Every Timken plant is required to establish an effective health and safety management system to improve planning, problem-solving and implementation while measuring effectiveness and identifying performance gaps. An Accident Prevention Plan (APP) forms the foundation of any successful health and safety management system and requires buy-in from two key contributors: managers and associates.
An APP - which outlines tasks and responsibilities, time tables, procedures and expected results - is comprised of six core elements:
1. Management Leadership and Associate Participation
- Visible management leadership, which provides the motivational force and resources for continuous improvement in health and safety.
- Associate participation, which empowers associates to identify hazards, recommend and monitor abatement, and participate in their own protection.
- Health and safety procedures designed to protect all individuals on company property.
- An implementation plan that assigns the necessary resources and responsibilities for health and safety performance and holds associates accountable for their actions.
2. Workplace Hazard Analysis
- Utilize proactive workplace surveys and hazard/risk assessments to identify and investigate all potential hazards.
- Implement periodic walk-around inspections to pinpoint new or previously missed hazards and hazard-control failures.
- Create a reliable hazard reporting system that facilitates communication between associates and management about potentially hazardous conditions and provides appropriate, timely responses.
3. Accident Investigation and Data Analysis
- Investigate accidents and "near miss" incidents to identify causes and preventive measures.
- Analyze injury and illness records to determine hazard sources and locations, as well as jobs with a high number of injuries or illnesses.
4. Hazard Prevention and Control
- Employ appropriate engineering controls, work practice controls and personal protective equipment where necessary to eliminate or control hazards.
- Develop effective preventive maintenance processes for facilities and equipment to eliminate hazardous breakdowns.
- Use medical surveillance and medical management programs that are appropriate for the size and nature of the workplace and its hazards.
5. Emergency Response
- Implement appropriate planning, training and equipment to respond to emergency situations such as injury, fire, severe weather, chemical spills, etc.
- Ensure that first aid and emergency care are readily available if an injury or illness occurs.
6. Safety and Health Training
- Inform and educate all associates on the hazards inherent in their occupations and provide the necessary training to help them avoid injury and illness and meet regulatory requirements.
Timken health and safety management system requirements are consistent with both the ANSI Z10 –2005 and OHSAS 18001:1999 standards for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Four plants have achieved third-party certification of compliance with OHSAS 18001: Yantai and Wuxi Plants in China, the Sosnowiec, Poland Plant and the Kunsebeck, Germany Plant.