Occupational Health and Safety - Equipment Safety
For zero equipment-related incidents
In order to make improvements to achieve the inherent safety of equipment, we analyze past equipment-related incidents and also conduct risk assessments to plan and implement measures to prevent the reoccurrence of similar problems.
Results
Number of equipment-related incidents that happened at Group companies in Japan
Former Showa Denko
- 2019: 10 cases (3 fires, 5 leakages, 1 deformation/breakage, 1 explosion)
- 2020: 4 cases (2 fires, 1 leakage, 1 deformation/breakage)
- 2021: 4 cases (0 fires, 1 fuming, 2 leakages, 1 deformation/breakage)
Former Showa Denko Materials
- 2019: 9 cases (6 fires, 2 leakages, 1 deformation/leakage)
- 2020: 7 cases (6 fires, 1 leakage)
- 2021: 3 cases (3 fires)
All were minor incidents in which no people were harmed.
Measures to ensure equipment safety
The Resonac Group aims to enhance its ability to ensure equipment safety, and fosters Active Safety activities* to prevent a recurrence of past accidents and problems, while making continuous improvements in its safety systems, sensitivity and culture.
Systems：
In order to further increase the effectiveness of our risk-based management system under which we plan, implement, evaluate and improve our risk reduction measures based on the results of risk assessments conducted at all stages including equipment design, operation, maintenance, installation and others, we are improving our existing management systems and risk assessment methods. We are also working to ensure safety through a range of examination boards and by sharing information about past incidents across the board.
- Promote design for inherent safety and ensure the appropriate management of design changes to prevent equipment-related incidents
- Conduct preventive maintenance, time-based maintenance and condition-based maintenance activities
- Conduct examinations for the treatment of chemical substances that are very hazardous or pose a high risk of incidents
- Analyze the fundamental causes of internal incidents and implement measures to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents
- Implement measures to prevent incidents across the board in reference to past internal and external incidents
Sensitivity：
For higher safety sensitivity, we are reviewing safety knowledge- and skill-related educational systems by job type and position.
Culture：
We are implementing various measures to create a safety culture at our workplaces.
- * Active Safety activities: Activities in which we analyze past incidents and disasters and summarize the lessons learned from them in the “Active Safety checklist,” and then make use of the list to identify related risks and as an educational material to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents
Measures against accidents and natural disasters
We give first priority to the lives of people in the event of natural disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons and heavy rains. Moreover, in consideration of the impact of our Group’s product supply activities on society at large and the importance of fulfilling our supplier responsibility, we conduct risk assessments against disasters to implement damage prevention and mitigation measures. In particular, against earthquakes, we have identified equipment and buildings that need to be seismically reinforced in order to protect people’s lives and have been fostering effective anti-seismic measures for them. If an accident or a natural disaster that could affect the entire Group occurs, we will establish an emergency headquarters headed by the president and implement measures against the disaster, including those concerning activities conducted by the head office’s administrative departments in line with our predefined in-house rules, on top of the security and disaster control rules already in place. Also, our sites comply with the in-house security and disaster control rules with regard to their emergency organizations and action plans, and conduct drills regularly against emergency scenarios.
As our business domains expand, we are building a business system that is more resistant to disasters both in Japan and outside the country. For our business continuity plans (BCPs), which we have formulated in consideration of our product and business features, we are making revisions in response to changes in the business environment, including a shift toward telecommuting. We will further foster our business continuity management activities by clarifying challenges and meeting them through education and training.
the Oita Complex
In July 2021, we provided employees with education on risk and safety management at Oita Complex. In this event, participants conducted group work to deepen their understanding about the assessment of identified risk factors, measures to be taken against risks and systematic safety management.
Risk assessment education provided
at the Oita Complex of Showa Denko K.K.
TOPICSConducting an anti-earthquake and tsunami drill at the Oita Complex
The Oita Complex conducted an anti-earthquake and tsunami drill in September concurrently with a similar drill held by Oita Prefecture. In the drill, after being informed of the occurrence of an earthquake, employees implemented initial response measures and then promptly evacuated to the designated evacuation place. Subsequently, they practiced reading QR codes for safety confirmation on the tablet terminals distributed to each of them and reviewed all safety procedures.
the use of tablets and QR codes
TOPICSConducting an emergency response drill at the Higashinagahara Plant
In December 2020, the Higashinagahara Plant conducted a joint emergency drill against fires, explosions and leakage of hazardous substances, receiving support from the Aizu Wakamatsu fire department ‘s Jumonji branch. We conduct this drill every spring and fall. In 2020, however, due to COVID-19, we reduced the size of the drill, with only employees of the manufacturing section and the emergency headquarters team participating. Furthermore, because the drill was conducted in December, some areas on the premises were frozen and covered in snow. However, participants, despite their limited numbers at that time, were able to smoothly share information and check the on-site situation, demonstrating the results of their daily training efforts. The drill was thus conducted during an unprecedented situation, and we will continue to carry out a range of drills, including night drills, to prepare against a wide range of emergencies on order to enhance our response abilities.
Drill conducted in the control room
of the manufacturing section