Keep up the good work Alcoa!!

As the industry has expanded and contracted Alcoa has stayed true to its principles of worker safety. This company has had accidents (as everyone has overtime) but has taken a proactive approach in understanding and taking action to prevent recurrence. Which many in our industry have emulated their efforts. Alcoa has repeatedly provided leadership in promoting the best safety practices when others could or would not. Countless workers have been positively affected in our industry by this company and their actions. Here is a recent story that emphasizes Alcoa’s continued efforts in making a safer workplace are paying off.

The above photo was from Alcoa’s website. 

The APSB is so proud of Alcoa for so many reasons. The lasting effect of Alcoa’s culture of safety maybe hard to quantify for the industry. In terms of how does their actions (past, present, future) affect other companies in our industry? Using the analogy of a tree that bears fruit. The tree being Alcoa and the fruit being both Alcoa’s actions and their employees. If the employee leaves Alcoa and lands at another company it is common to find that the new employee is quick to offer suggestions on making their new workplace environment safer. In addition Alcoa has been more than willing to send employees to speak at safety conferences around the globe. We have heard countless times, “That’s what Alcoa does” regarding justification for a plants best safety practice.

The APSB has noticed that the analogy of the tree bearing fruit has been reproduced in the Middle East with great success. From aluminium companies as Abal, Dubal, Emal, etc. their commitment to safety is benefiting not only their individuals companies but the aluminium industry in the Middle East too. As one Middle East Aluminium  CEO told the APSB recently, “Our goal is if our workers leave us and go to another company downstream they take  with them our values in terms of safety, quality, etc.”. That is a great goal that will save countless workers from injuries and fatalities.

Thank you Alcoa for doing so much for our industry for little to no fanfare. Your reward will be in the knowledge that your actions (past, present, future) have had a positive effect on our industry.

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