The Scaw Metals Group (Scaw), a niche South African steel manufacturer, is continuing on its journey toward a zero injury culture, with all employees being made aware that they each play a role in making a difference resulting from a shared understanding and dedication to working safely.
Scaw believes that all employees should be able to return home fit and well at the end of each work day, armed with knowledge to educate their families and communities regarding safety, health, and environmental issues.
As a manufacturer of value-added steel products from steel scrap and directly reduced iron, Scaw is active in one of the world’s most sustainable industries. It procures and processes its own steel scrap requirements and recycles significant volumes of steel in its steelmaking operations.
“At Scaw we continuously drive our safety, health, and environment management programs. As an organisation it is imperative for sustainable business performance and improvement”, asserts Jurgen Theiss, Head of Safety, Health and Environment for Scaw Group.
The group is mindful of the impact of global warming and the pressing need to conserve finite resources. It strives to improve the efficiencies, and hence maximise the use of the resources it uses to manufacture its range of steel products.
With a strong and culturally diverse team of talented, enthusiastic individuals, nothing is more important to Scaw, its operations, and the safety management teams than the sustainability of Scaw’s businesses and the safety and wellbeing of its workers.
“Scaw has adopted standards to ensure that minimum standards are maintained throughout the group, as any one injury or fatality is one too many. We remain committed to reducing work-related injury, and death, while also providing respectful support and care – with an acceptance of and responsibility for the premise that all injuries and occupational illnesses are preventable. This applied as we improve work conditions and safety,” says Theiss.
Scaw attributes regular spot checks and accessibility to health care facilities among other tactics with having led to many positive behavioral changes in its employees. Examples include closer attention regarding correct personal protective gear, workers being more aware of their surroundings, moving and standing machinery, as well as the use of equipment.
Theiss continues, “We have put quite a lot of pressure on everyone but this persistence has benefited everybody by minimising risk and reducing accidents. To have achieved such an impressive safety performance is further demonstration of the commitment of our employees and contractors, and their willingness to work with us for the benefit of everyone.”
Staff and contractor training workshops and presentations have also contributed to greater awareness and survey participation – allowing for an exchange of views and discussions on the solutions to potential safety challenges, problems or concerns.
“Our accomplishments in compliance to our own and regulated safety standards are encouraging, and we intend to do better still,” concluded Theiss.
