Safety first Go for Zero is reducing workplace injuries as Boeing builds a robust safety culture By Patrick Summers For John Hopp and other mechanics, climbing on the exterior sections of a 747 fuselage in the Everett, Wash., factory is not only easier but safer. A new lightweight support structure slides along the top of the fuselage and allows mechanics to work safely without the need for ladders and harnesses, which can restrict their freedom of movement, explained Hopp, a mechanic in 747 Wings & Body Structures. It was designed by tooling engineers and built by mechanics. “What we did together to create this support structure shows that when it comes to working safely, we watch out for one another, and we have each other’s backs,” Hopp said. The new 747 fuselage tool is but 36 Frontiers June 2014 one example of workplace safety improvements and changing attitudes about safety across Boeing since last year’s launch of Go for Zero—One Day at a Time. The companywide safetyenhancement effort aims to eliminate workplace injuries. Boeing leaders say the effort helped drive down employee injuries that led to missed work to a record low in 2013. “We’ve made a solid start on our journey to a zero-injury workplace,” said Ursula English, vice president of Environment, Health & Safety. “There is still a lot of work ahead of us; we can’t let up on our efforts to improve workplace safety.” Over the past five years, Boeing reduced by 25 percent the injuries that caused employees to miss time away from work. Now the company is significantly raising the goal and aiming to reduce injuries 25 percent every year. “We’ve made significant changes that make it safer for employees working around hazards, and we’ve made great progress in implementing tooling and facilities improvements to make our offices and factories safer,” English said. “We’re asking everyone who steps onto a Boeing site, including customers and suppliers, to follow common-sense rules designed to eliminate risks.” Go for Zero was launched early in 2013 following multiple incidents that resulted in serious injuries and two employee deaths. As part of the effort, all employees are asked to sign a Safety Promise to work safely and speak up if
Frontiers June 2014 Issue
To see the actual publication please follow the link above