MCI makes service centers safer places to work

With strong safety policies and programs in place at its Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Pembina, North Dakota, manufacturing plants, the company appointed Don Phillips as a health, safety and environment manager in July, 2006 to heighten its focus on these issues at all of MCI's U.S. based facilities. With a steadily improving track record, both the U.S. facilities, and the Pembina and Winnipeg manufacturing plants are on target to meet even more ambitious goals for 2007.

Operators don't necessarily need their own Don Phillips to improve their health, safety and environmental records (but it helps!). Implementing a few of the following safety initiatives could take you far.

Consider a Back-to-Work program
An important initiative at the U.S. facilities has been a return-to-work program modeled on one that has been successful in Winnipeg for about five years. This type of program allows injured employees to return to work earlier than in the past, but incorporates restrictions recommended by the employee's doctors. For instance, someone with a back injury might return to their previous duties but with restrictions on the size or weight of an object he or she can lift until the injury is completely healed. Or, the employee may be assigned to other duties that reduce the opportunity for exacerbating the injury.

Put "5S" to work in your shop
The basic idea is the familiar adage, "a place for everything, and everything in its place." Systems such as 5S (Sort, Sweep, Simplify, Standardize, Sustain) encourage safe practices by helping to eliminate temptations to use tools inappropriately (for example, using a screwdriver in place of a lost pry bar) as well as tripping and falling accidents because tools are not properly stored after use. Introduced in U.S. facilities within the last 24 months, the 5S system was first implemented in, and is well integrated into, the Winnipeg and Pembina manufacturing plants with positive results.

Lift less
MCI has also addressed a number of lifting issues, bringing in new equipment where needed, and encouraging creative solutions. For example, the shops are increasingly using tools to move tires around the shop floor. Phillips also cites MCI's Des Plaines service center, where the team came up with a better method to move jack stands around under the coaches in a way that was less likely to cause injury to employees.

Create a safety culture
Phillips also stresses the importance of communication at all levels. This includes a firm commitment from management to the program, training for all responsible employees; regular "toolbox" talks with the technicians and other staff, implementing an accident investigation and corrective action process, and regular management participation in the process.

The safety-satisfaction tie
Phillips, who claims more than 20 years in the environmental and safety field, says he is especially impressed with MCI's commitment. "What it really comes down to is, do people like working here? The more they like it, the more likely they are to do a good job and work safely."

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