In a significant move to promote safety and health within the steel industry, the World Steel Association has acknowledged six member companies for their exemplary efforts in enhancing workplace safety. This recognition underscores the association’s commitment to fostering a culture of health and well-being among its members. Andrew Purvis, Director of Sustainable Manufacturing at worldsteel, noted a commendable shift towards prioritizing occupational health and creating psychologically safe environments. The honored companies have showcased their dedication to establishing workplaces that encourage innovation and collaboration while minimizing risks.
One of the standout recipients this year is BlueScope Steel Limited from Australia. The company has made remarkable strides in integrating Human and Organisational Performance principles into its foundational health and safety leadership. BlueScope has undertaken a continuous journey of embedding these principles through various initiatives, including leadership training for executives and frontline leaders. By introducing innovative concepts such as the Blackline/Blueline Model and Learning Teams, BlueScope has demonstrated how these strategies have been integrated into leadership programs and risk management processes, earning recognition for its commitment to cultivating a safety-centric culture.
In the realm of occupational safety management, Tenaris from Italy has been honored for its groundbreaking automatic anticollision system designed for small forklifts. Following two incidents involving forklifts and pedestrians, Tenaris launched a comprehensive plan to implement a fail-safe solution. Utilizing advanced AI computer vision technology, the system processes real-time images from multiple cameras to identify potential collision trajectories, significantly enhancing safety in warehouse operations. This innovative approach highlights Tenaris’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve workplace safety.
Ternium Brazil also received accolades for its initiative to eliminate human interface risks in continuous casting processes. Since 2018, Ternium has employed robotic systems to manage the transfer of steel from ladles to tundishes, effectively minimizing human exposure to hazardous conditions. This strategic use of robotics aligns with the company’s vision of achieving zero accidents, showcasing Ternium's proactive approach to occupational safety through automation.
For occupational health management, Gerdau Brazil’s +Care Program has been recognized for its comprehensive support system addressing both physical and psychological well-being. By offering employees and their families free, confidential assistance 24/7, the program aims to mitigate distractions that can lead to workplace accidents. The initiative emphasizes monitoring individuals’ conditions to ensure readiness for work, thereby prioritizing employee health as a core component of safety.
Liberty Steel’s initiative, “You Matter. We Care,” has also made an impact by fostering a culture of trust and open communication regarding mental health issues. Built on three interconnected pillars, psychosocial risk management, mental health, and overall well-being, the program aims to create a supportive environment where employees feel safe discussing their challenges without stigma. This approach highlights Liberty Steel’s dedication to prioritizing mental health alongside physical safety.
Tata Steel Limited has been honored for its innovative online purging assistance model aimed at eliminating explosion risks in the gas cleaning plant of its blast furnace area. By implementing a system that allows real-time monitoring of the purging process, Tata Steel enhances the integrity of gas lines carrying hazardous gases. This proactive measure, combined with strategically placed remote-operated valves and gas analyzers, demonstrates Tata Steel’s commitment to maintaining safety in potentially dangerous environments.
These recognized initiatives exemplify the commitment of worldsteel members to uphold and enhance safety and health standards in the steel industry. By fostering a culture of innovation and well-being, these companies are not only setting benchmarks for safety practices but also paving the way for a more sustainable and secure future for the steel sector.
