"a crash accident...."

As our industry expands through greenfield and brownfield projects the safety of the contractors on these work sites is an ever growing concern. Here is a recent story emphasizing the importance of safety education to outside contractors in our industry.

A man died in a work related accident at an aluminium plant in Europe in April 2017.

This is confirmed by the police, which states that the man worked for one of aluminium company’s subcontractors.

It regards a crash accident, the local police stated.

The accident was reported to the local authorities around 15:00.

In addition to Ambulance, Police and Fire Brigade – a rescue helicopter was also sent to the site, but just before 4.30 pm the police were informed that the man was pronounced dead.

An aluminium company spokesman stated “Safety at work is the foremost priority for all of us. Therefore, it is very tragic when such accidents occur. The thoughts go out to relatives and colleagues.”

The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog offers our sincere condolences to the worker’s family. There is little information in the news media regarding this incident other than “a crash accident". Which may have been translated incorrectly. Nevertheless, this incident with little information can be used as learning tool. How? By reinforcing to your contractors that their safety is very important to your company, and to you personally.

How companies view contractors has a profound effect on how their worker’s view their own company. All companies should view contractors as their own employees and train them accordingly. Unfortunately, there are a few companies who view contractors as something else. It is these companies who unfortunately have a large number of injuries and fatalities with their contractors. It is our belief that how these companies view contractors permeate to their employees. Then when their employees observe an unsafe practice or behavior by a contractor they either dismiss it as “they are contractors” or ignore it. Recently, we were honored to visit a plant that is undergoing an expansion. We asked a rhetorical question. “Who is the most dangerous person at this plant?” The answer is the individual(s) who is not here now. It is the future visitor, vendor, supplier, contractor, etc. I explained to the audience is these individuals that if you observe an unsafe behavior or practice that they have to act now. Now! Not the next time, not tomorrow, not dismiss it. Why? Because there might not be a next time.

The Aluminium Times Magazine had an article about contractor safety. Here it is:

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