Timken has begun implementing a Web-based system to improve workplace hazard analysis and risk assessment throughout the company. Called Risk Priority Management (RPM) from Humantech, Inc., this new technology integrates personnel, injury and cost data, providing a platform for identifying and prioritizing potential ergonomic risks in every job position.

“Understanding the potential ergonomic risks at each plant will ensure that available resources are used to implement improvements where they are needed most,” said Tom Henry, ergonomics engineer – corporate health and safety.

Timken completed an RPM pilot program in 2006 at its Shiloh Plant in Rutherfordton, N.C. One of the company’s best performing plants in health and safety, Shiloh worked all of last year without a single lost-time injury.

“We wanted to know where the next injury might occur before it occurred,” said Mike Martin, human resource manager – Shiloh. “By reducing potential ergonomic risks, we hope associates will never need to go to the medical department with aches and pains.”

Timken is implementing RPM side-by-side with its new OnBase Incident Management System to help drive health and safety management improvements across the company.