Introduction

Plant XYZ manufactures a variety of hi-tech composite components for the US Defense Department. The parts are used in classified products of unknown purposes and are assembled at a different secret facility. Plant XYZ employs 300 employees, all of whom operate on one day shift. The facility produces $100 million in sales annually. The major goal for the year is to double their current profit margin of 2.5%.

Mr. Warren Hubbel is the General Manager and is the supervisor for the departmental managers: Mr. Ted Smith, Assembly Dept., Ms. Alice Jones, Molding Dept., and Mr. Jake Jackson, Maintenance Dept. Ms. Joan Black is the Human Resources Dept. (HR) manager. Ms. Kerrie Smythe is the office manager for the front office and executive secretary for Mr. Hubbel.

The 1997 OSHA total injury and illness case rate for the plant was 22.2, with an lost workday injury and illness (LWDII) rate of 8.1. Year to date in 1998, 24 recordables have occurred with 8 lost-time cases. This places the company on pace with last year's performance, projecting rates of 17.6 and 7.8. The BLS rates for their industry are 12.5 and 6.6 respectively (SIC 3069).

The company just hired their first safety manager, YOU. You report directly to the Human Resources manager, Ms. Black. Today is your first day on the job. Congratulations!!!! Up to now all safety responsibilities have been shared by the safety committee. The safety committee is comprised of all the managers and Ms. Smythe.

After receiving an initial orientation from Ms. Black you were informed of high expectations that she and the plant manager had for you, i.e., 50% reduction in rates in the next year and OSHA VPP Star Certification in 2 years. You sit down at your new desk and begin to examine several 1997 safety related documents, the OSHA 300 log, Safety Incident report, and copies of the safety committee minutes. Your task at this time is to come up with an action plan to meet the plant manager's expectations. Ms. Black has asked for the action plan in two weeks, so that she can present it to Mr. Hubbel. What do you do?

After you have completed your action plan, check out this example analysis.