If you hear “Call 911,” or see that someone is injured or experiencing a medical emergency, do you know what to do? Are you prepared to help?
The work we do is no easy task. Doing it safely adds to the challenge. However, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s a core value that comes first in our operations.
Safety begins with education and preparation. We conduct regular emergency drills to prepare our team for any situation. Whether it is a tornado, fire or medical emergency, we want to be prepared. We use the phrase “practice like it’s real,” which is why we implement emergency drills, along with other safety-related training, such as CPR and fire extinguisher training.
This approach builds confidence for our employees to react to situations that may occur, and it ensures everyone knows their role in keeping themselves and their colleagues safe.
Our employees are trained to respond to first aid and emergency medical situations as well. Processes are in place and communicated to employees to ensure the correct measures are taken to help the person until medical professionals arrive. Additionally, basic medical supplies are available, including AEDs. Employees are trained to use the AEDs and to administer CPR.
Last year, employees at one of our plants heard the shout, “call 911!” Then they saw a coworker lying on the floor in medical distress.
The fellow employees recognized he was suffering a cardiac event and began chest compressions and coordinated CPR with the AED. Thanks to their training, they knew how to provide the necessary assistance until the EMTs arrived. The fellow employees’ actions saved the individual’s life.
Learning how to use equipment properly is critical. For example, our plants conduct operator training to ensure employees learn how to handle forklifts, cranes and other equipment used onsite. During these training courses, employees learn the critical safety measures and guidelines to operate their equipment safely.
Hands-on training takes the classroom training to the next level. “We have a third-party company come in where we spend a day in the classroom learning a specific procedure or operation, and the next day we practice the actual operation,” said Justin Wilson, Health and Safety Manager at the Element Resources plant in Forest City, MO.
At our plants, employees also participate in something called “Toolbox Talks.” These talks cover a range of safety topics and communication crucial to our operations. From hazard awareness to equipment handling, each discussion gives our employees the knowledge necessary to stay safe.
“Plants complete them monthly, weekly or even every shift,” said Jennifer Meglic, Director of Health & Safety. “These talks could be discussing anything from the temperature inside and outside to an incident that happened recently at the plant, but the goal is the same – to stay safe.”
“If you see something, say something.”
Another unwavering tenet is the phrase “If you see something, say something.” The best safety practice is prevention. Employees are trained to speak up if they see something that doesn’t look right and may be a potential safety issue. When a potential safety issue is identified, the management team will investigate the situation and put corrective or preventive measures in place if necessary.
At our corporate headquarters, every section of the building is assigned a zone leader. Trained in emergency response protocols and equipped with essential tools, such as first aid kits, these leaders ensure safety standards are upheld across the office.
“The zone leaders received a training manual, participated in classroom training sessions and received CPR training,” said Dawn Fitzgerald, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager and HQ Zone Leader. “My main responsibility is to ensure that everyone in the area stays safe during an emergency.”
No matter what facility you work in or job you have, your safety will always be of paramount importance.
