WOW!!! The die casting industry has reason to celebrate its success in the area of safety. The safety numbers from OSHA in 2010, once again, have improved. Since 2002, the number of lost work day incidences has gone down for the aluminum and zinc die casting industry. In 2002, the incidence rate of lost work days per 100 equivalent fulltime workers was over 14 for the aluminum die casting industry and slightly above 9 for zinc. In that same year, our industry was listed in the top 10 industries on OSHA’s watch list for safety. Since that year, we have been on a steady decline in lost workday incidences. In 2010, aluminum die casters incidence rate was 5.5 per 100 full time workers and zinc die casting was even lower at 3.3.
Die casting equipment builders should be congratulated for keeping safety in mind as they introduce newer and faster machines. Automation has played a key role in improving safety. There are not many industries that can show improved safety by 66% since 2002 (from 14 to 5.5) and in the same time period improved productivity by 30%. The industry went from $130,000/employee in annual sales to $185,000/employee. The improvements in safety and productivity have kept our industry competitive in the worldwide market.
Die casters should be applauded for their organization of safety committees and implementing their recommendations. The attention they paid towards improving the workplace conditions is showing in the numbers and most likely in the workplace attitude. NADCA’s role in providing online safety education, videos, books, and standards have supported the emphasis placed on improving safety. The improvement in safety is not just something that has happened. It took a conscious change in the industry’s psyche to move towards looking at safety more seriously.
Finally, there is probably no greater reason for improving safety than the focus ownership and management have instituted. Leadership is always critical when changing the trend. It takes commitment and perseverance. From 1997 through 2002, lost workday cases were growing. Safety was getting worse. As this information was disseminated and discussed in great detail at many of the NADCA events, the task of creating a safer workplace took a much higher level of importance. From buying new equipment to supporting and encouraging a safe workforce, owners and managers not only talked about it, they put their support behind it.
There is still more improvement that should be made. If your incidence number in 2011 was lower than 2010, make it a goal to be lower than 2011 in 2012. If every company achieves their goal, the industry number will go down again. Each year since 2007, the number of “NADCA Perfect Safety Award” winners has increased. A perfect award winner had zero lost workday incidences in that year. If 20+ companies of all sizes can do it, so can yours.
The die casting industry safety record improvement is a significant success story that should be highlighted when you market your company. NADCA’s annual safety award program for its corporate members can help with the marketing. Also, make sure your insurance company knows about the improvements in safety for our industry. This can help, in a big way, reduce your insurance premiums. There are many reasons that can be touted for our safety success.
To view a complete list of the 2011 Safety Awards Winners please click here.
