As part of its commitment to the highest safety and health standards, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) recognises excellence in six of its member companies for delivering demonstrable improvements in safety and health.
Andrew Purvis, Director, Sustainable Manufacturing, said, “this year, worldsteel and the judging panel noticed a stronger focus on occupational health and well-being. Members are leading the shift to a blame-free, psychologically safe workplace, navigating challenges with vision and innovative approaches. I would like to congratulate and thank the successful companies and all the participants in this programme for their outstanding contribution and dedication to this cause.”
The recognised companies this year are:
For safety culture and leadership
BlueScope Steel Limited – Integrating Human & Organisational Performance (HOP) into Foundational HSE Leadership
Embedding leadership and culture is a continual journey. Through previous worldsteel awards, BlueScope has demonstrated its evolution in Human and Organisational Performance (HOP). From 2019 to 2023 BlueScope undertook various initiatives, including leadership training for the Board, Executive Leadership Team, and front-line leaders, and introduced new concepts such as the HOP Principles, Blackline / Blueline Model, Learning Teams and Better Questions / Stronger Solutions. This 2024 award builds on the aforementioned strategy to show how these concepts have been embedded into leadership programmes, frontline leader training and risk controls focus-group programmes.
For occupational safety management
Tenaris – Automatic anticollision system for small forklifts
After two accidents involving small forklifts (< six tonnes) and pedestrians in the manoeuvring area at the Tenaris Dalmine warehouse, a plan was launched to implement a ‘fail-safe’ solution to prevent collisions. A proof-of-concept trial was organised using an advanced AI computer vision system based on machine learning algorithms connected to the forklift’s controller area network (CAN) bus. The new processing unit acquires real-time images from four AI cameras and triggers three actions to identify collision trajectories with pedestrians.
Ternium – Elimination of human interface through robotic operation in continuous casting
Since March 2018, Ternium Brazil has been using robots in tasks related to the transfer of steel from the ladle to the tundish. This follows their vision of zero human exposure to risk of accidents such as burns, explosions, heat, and being hit by moving machine components or falling components. The installed robot performs the operations required for the plant to operate.
For occupational health management
Gerdau – +Care Program
Gerdau Brazil introduced the +Care Program to address the physical and psychological issues that often distract employees from their tasks. These issues have frequently been identified as the root causes of accidents. This programme offers employees and their families free and confidential 24/7 psychological, financial, legal and social support. The programme starts with a test to monitor conditions that may affect an individual’s readiness for work and potentially put the employee at risk.
Liberty Steel – You Matter. We Care.
Liberty Steel’s programme rallying cry, “You Matter. We Care. I’m Here to Listen,” unites the company in its mission to create a culture of trust, eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and establish a workplace free from psychosocial risks. The programme is built on three interconnected pillars: psychosocial risk management, mental health, and well-being.
For process safety management
Tata Steel Limited – Online purging assistance to eliminate risk of explosion in gas cleaning plant (GCP) area of blast furnace
In order to maintain the integrity of gas lines carrying hazardous co-product gases, regular inspection and maintenance are required. Purging is necessary to ensure the system is free of toxic and flammable gases. Tata Steel’s new purging assistance model tracks real-time updates of the purging process. A set of remote-operated valves has been installed at strategic locations, and gas analysers have been installed at vents. A system of logic and interlocks was also developed, enabling the operator to monitor and purge the entire gas line from the control room.
More details on each of the initiatives can be found in worldsteel’s Safety and Excellence Recognition 2024 publication.
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Notes
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, with members in every major steel-producing country. worldsteel represents steel producers, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. Members represent around 85% of global steel production.