Using STOPTM safety observation cycle and ‘5S’ housekeeping

by Chen Shiwei

Publisher - NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd, Singapore

Category - General Novel

Safety Training & Observation Program (STOPTM) a program created by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) is an observation methodology conducted through interaction between STOPTM observers with the employees. It is a behavior-based training program to help build up supervisors‟ safety observation and communication skills, and enable them to have constructive discussions with the workers to talk about safe and unsafe work practices. A 6-step process allows supervisors to observe how people work, strengthens safe work practices and correct unsafe acts through dialogue and communication. This two-way interaction helps to build a safe working culture over time by making workers think about safety in their everyday work and increase safety awareness. Our top management takes the lead to demonstrate top down commitment. The program is rolled out across the organization from leaders in all functional groups right down to all workers in production lines and office staffs to conduct safety audits. We see STOP™ as a continuous program and hence it is cascaded down to all levels in order to achieve a critical mass for an effective and sustainable system. Using analysis using statistics from the safety observations, target areas are identified. One area of focus is on housekeeping. 5S Housekeeping (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize & Sustain) was rolled out with the aim to have a clean, neat and tidy workplace to achieve a safe workplace condition and improving safety by removing underlying hazards which could result in unnecessary unsafe conditions STOP™ is a simple tool for building up a strong safety culture in the organization. It is an effective tool when used with a high level of compliance to the observation plan. With the low cost of implementation relative to the safety benefits and results it can bring, we believe this program will be applicable and beneficial to a majority of Worldsteel and SEAISI member organizations.

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