U. S. Steel Košice subsidiary companies have achieved unprecedented success in the field of occupational safety. As the second in the history of U. S. Steel Košice (after Transport division), they have under their belt 6,000,000 hours without injury. They reached this result on January 16, 2022.
“Six million hours without injury is simply an amazing accomplishment,” says USSK President Jim Bruno. “This significant of a safety milestone, across such a large business, can only be accomplished by true professionals that come to work every day with a common set of values, and a strong desire to ensure everyone goes home safely every day. Congratulations to the entire team, keep your focus and hopefully we will be celebrating 12 million hours without incident in the future!” congratulates President Bruno and adds: “This is simply outstanding!!!”
We have also talked to Vice President Subsidiaries and General Counsel Elena Petrášková.
What do you think has contributed to this great result?
First and foremost, it is a focus on the work that everyone does, on good quality preparation before work starts, and not just on preparing necessary tools, equipment, but mainly the knowledge of the procedure to be applied. Of course, it was ongoing effort by all employees to perform their work safely. Also, the joint effort of all teams that identify and subsequently monitor risks and inform employees about them, find solutions to minimize them as well as daily communication in this area. And especially, understanding the principle, to return every day from a work shift back home, to their families without injury.
Which subsidiaries are part of this success?
This applies to all subsidiary companies: Obalservis, Services, RMS, Labortest, SBS and Ferroenergy. This result has been achieved since starting from 13. 6. 2019, when the last accident was registered at RMS.
Who contributed the most to this success? Whose job would you like to highlight?
It is very difficult in this area to choose someone who is the top one. Today it can be someone, someone else tomorrow, it is everyone's daily work and every day can bring different situations. It is the success of every employee, because without personal commitment and involvement we would be like a team that cannot succeed.
What would you like to say to your people? You must be really proud of them?
Of course, I feel great pride and I want to say a “huge THANK YOU” for their work so far and encourage them to continue to pay attention to safety, do not endanger yourself or anyone around you during day-to-day work, and also pay attention to your colleagues with whom you work with and please protect each other.
What other target would you like to reach?
The goal is always the same for us, every day, always at the beginning of every work shift our motto is: "No injury today".
Robert MEITNER, GM for Occupational Safety and Plant Security also expresses a huge acknowledgement: “On behalf of the Occupational Safety and Plant Security organization, I would like to personally congratulate and thank all employees of subsidiary companies to achieving a major milestone in safety - 6,000,000 hours without injury. My thanks also go to the employees of the subsidiaries that were sold or merged into USSK. This milestone must be seen as a success of all employees. Achieving this result has confirmed that employees are more responsible and responsive to the safety issues. So once again congratulations to the subsidiary companies, and please don't rest on your laurels and continue the trend.”
