Page 8 - WING May-Jun 2016
P. 8
ELP EAST LIBERTY AUTO PLANT
Handle with CARE
N o one wants to have to deal with hazardous materi-
als, but in some cases, it’s necessary. When these
situations arise, we need to be knowledgeable on the
subject and be prepared to handle with care.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), associates need to receive training on hazardous chemi-
cals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment.
Furthermore, if new chemicals are introduced at a later date, those
associates should be trained on the new materials. Most important-
ly, chemical specific information must always be available through
labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS).
A couple years ago, a handful of safety representatives in the
assembly department at the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) noticed
that training was not happening in a timely manner, was inconsistent MSDS Made Easy, from left: Tony Grandison, Danny Kendall, David Johansson,
Amanda White, Greg Breznenik and Chuck Parrish.
and time consuming and that MSDS tracking data was cumbersome
to work with. They knew a change needed to be made, and that’s
when the NH Circle team (a team working together to improve a
process) was assembled.
There would be growing pains at first, but the team was able to fig-
“As safety reps, we recognized gaps in training for both content and ure out schedules to get the job done.
continuity,” said Chuck Parrish, assembly associate. “Between the vari -
ance in manpower and chemicals encountered, coupled with changing “Working on different shifts was challenging,” said White. “Once
safety reps, the training was becoming ineffective. We knew tackling we were all on the same page we fed very well off of each other.
this issue would be a challenge, but we like a challenge.” We were very balanced as a team, or a mildly dysfunctional family as
I like to call it.”
To start, the team had all 84 assembly safety reps fill out a brief
survey, along with listing any comments or concerns. The survey As the group worked on the orientation training the master list of
results confirmed the team’s suspicions with the current system. chemicals had to be updated, and that improvement led to the new
Shockingly, 68 percent of the safety reps responded that they had no assembly common chemical list. With this new list, the safety group
knowledge of the specific OSHA MSDS requirements. With the data was able to develop hazardous chemical signs that are displayed line
in hand, the next step was to pitch the project to management. side. The group was also able to create a training video that is now
played during assembly new hire orientation, which is more efficient
“Everyone was on board after we collected our survey results,” said than having 84 associates alternately conduct the training.
New Model associate, Amanda White. “We were able to prove that
there were issues, and management was behind us 100 percent in “There were just no weak links on our team,” said Parrish. “We
finding the countermeasure.” all grew in the area of mutual respect, and each team member’s
strengths were fully utilized.”
The team then prepared their ideal image statement which con-
sisted of all associates being trained according to OSHA standards, Monozukuri time, a chance for associates to work in teams at sched-
a method to train, track and retrieve data to meet compliance and a uled times to make something better, was used to train 95 percent
paperless tracking system. With the image set, the team was able of assembly associates that did not get training prior to their initial
to narrow it down to three options: computer based training, opera- assignment. Now, 100 percent of assembly associates are fully
tion standard training and orientation training. Based on feedback trained. After associates are trained, their record of training is stored
from all of the safety reps in the department, orientation training was in the Pathlore Learning System and may be retrieved or updated in
selected as the best option. an efficient manner. Once a new chemical is introduced, all associ-
ates must sign off on the change form showing that they have been
“It’s part of our Honda philosophy,” said Assembly associate, Greg instructed on the new material. This is then reflected in the associ-
Breznenik. “It all starts with safety, without it, we don’t have pro- ate’s training.
duction. This was a very tough project to tackle, but teamwork was
the key to our success.” Overall, the project was able to improve quality with a sustainable
8 WING May/June 2016
Handle with CARE
N o one wants to have to deal with hazardous materi-
als, but in some cases, it’s necessary. When these
situations arise, we need to be knowledgeable on the
subject and be prepared to handle with care.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), associates need to receive training on hazardous chemi-
cals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment.
Furthermore, if new chemicals are introduced at a later date, those
associates should be trained on the new materials. Most important-
ly, chemical specific information must always be available through
labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS).
A couple years ago, a handful of safety representatives in the
assembly department at the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) noticed
that training was not happening in a timely manner, was inconsistent MSDS Made Easy, from left: Tony Grandison, Danny Kendall, David Johansson,
Amanda White, Greg Breznenik and Chuck Parrish.
and time consuming and that MSDS tracking data was cumbersome
to work with. They knew a change needed to be made, and that’s
when the NH Circle team (a team working together to improve a
process) was assembled.
There would be growing pains at first, but the team was able to fig-
“As safety reps, we recognized gaps in training for both content and ure out schedules to get the job done.
continuity,” said Chuck Parrish, assembly associate. “Between the vari -
ance in manpower and chemicals encountered, coupled with changing “Working on different shifts was challenging,” said White. “Once
safety reps, the training was becoming ineffective. We knew tackling we were all on the same page we fed very well off of each other.
this issue would be a challenge, but we like a challenge.” We were very balanced as a team, or a mildly dysfunctional family as
I like to call it.”
To start, the team had all 84 assembly safety reps fill out a brief
survey, along with listing any comments or concerns. The survey As the group worked on the orientation training the master list of
results confirmed the team’s suspicions with the current system. chemicals had to be updated, and that improvement led to the new
Shockingly, 68 percent of the safety reps responded that they had no assembly common chemical list. With this new list, the safety group
knowledge of the specific OSHA MSDS requirements. With the data was able to develop hazardous chemical signs that are displayed line
in hand, the next step was to pitch the project to management. side. The group was also able to create a training video that is now
played during assembly new hire orientation, which is more efficient
“Everyone was on board after we collected our survey results,” said than having 84 associates alternately conduct the training.
New Model associate, Amanda White. “We were able to prove that
there were issues, and management was behind us 100 percent in “There were just no weak links on our team,” said Parrish. “We
finding the countermeasure.” all grew in the area of mutual respect, and each team member’s
strengths were fully utilized.”
The team then prepared their ideal image statement which con-
sisted of all associates being trained according to OSHA standards, Monozukuri time, a chance for associates to work in teams at sched-
a method to train, track and retrieve data to meet compliance and a uled times to make something better, was used to train 95 percent
paperless tracking system. With the image set, the team was able of assembly associates that did not get training prior to their initial
to narrow it down to three options: computer based training, opera- assignment. Now, 100 percent of assembly associates are fully
tion standard training and orientation training. Based on feedback trained. After associates are trained, their record of training is stored
from all of the safety reps in the department, orientation training was in the Pathlore Learning System and may be retrieved or updated in
selected as the best option. an efficient manner. Once a new chemical is introduced, all associ-
ates must sign off on the change form showing that they have been
“It’s part of our Honda philosophy,” said Assembly associate, Greg instructed on the new material. This is then reflected in the associ-
Breznenik. “It all starts with safety, without it, we don’t have pro- ate’s training.
duction. This was a very tough project to tackle, but teamwork was
the key to our success.” Overall, the project was able to improve quality with a sustainable
8 WING May/June 2016
