Steel industry body launches 3rd Steel Safety Day

The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has announced the launch of its third annual Steel Safety Day on April 28th, in alignment with the World Safety Day. The association urged all its members and related organizations to carry out special safety audit in all plants around the world. The call reiterates the Association’s commitment to the safety and health of people who work in the steel industry.

The proposed audits shall cover five most common causes of incidents- moving machinery, falling from height, falling objects, gas & asphyxiation, and overhead cranes. Each year one of the five causes is highlighted and special attention is given to raising awareness of how to prevent associated risks. This year’s Steel Safety Day focuses on ‘Falling From Height’. The steel body urged steel producers to ensure all employees have access to training, equipment, and preventative techniques when working at height.

According to worldsteel, member companies must try to eliminate the task or the need to work at height by completing the task at ground level. If working in heights, use guardrails and other secured work platforms to prevent hazards of falling. In addition, it also recommends the use of personal protection equipment including harnesses, lanyards, life lines and anchor points.

There has been a notable reduction in the rate of injuries since 2006. But the association’s goal is to achieve an injury-free, illness-free and healthy workplace with zero incidents. ‘Steel Safety Day’ will contribute much to this effect. More than half-a-million employees and over 325 steel sites had taken part in the Steel Safety Day audit in 2015.

Head quartered in Brussels, World Steel Association is the international trade body for the iron and steel industry. The association represents steel producers, national and regional steel industry associations and steel research institutes. The purpose of the association is to promote steel and the steel industry to customers, the industry, media and the general public.