Page 2 CHEM TEXTS Vol. 2 No. 2
FROM THE FACTORY MANAGER
Dear Fellow Employees:
Those of us involved in the “STOP” safety training program are repeatedly asked the question, “Who is responsible for safety in my area?” Each of us recognizes there is only one correct answer – “I am.” However, there will only be an effective safety program in our plant if every employee is responsible for his own activities.
Mr. Vila has clearly stated the UNIROYAL philosophy on accident prevention. I would like to quote the following portions of this statement:
. . “Managers at all levels, have, as a primary responsibility, the safety and well being of all persons who report to or are assigned to them.”
“Each employee has an important place in the accident prevention effort and he must accept the responsibility for full cooperation in the measures taken for safety.”
I have underlined RESPONSIBILITY – a key factor in the jobs of all of us. Let’s all work together in a responsible manner to prevent personal injuries.
[Signature]
LOST TIME ACCIDENTS UP IN FEBRUARY, DROP IN MARCH
Lost time accidents jumped from 2 in January to 3 in February. But dropped from 3 to 2 in March. However the record for serious injuries jumped from 2 in January to a total of 6 in March.
For the first 3 months of the year there were a total of 7 lost time injuries; and for the same period a total of 12 serious injuries.
Severe bruises and sprains accounted mostly for the lost time accidents; with two fractures occurring, one of a kneecap and one wrist fracture. Oftentimes there’s only a hairline difference between these accidents and more serious ones. A “stop, look and listen” attitude toward personal safety would eliminate these incidents that not only affect the employee, but his family as well.
The rising increase of serious injuries is of major concern as these could easily have resulted in more serious accidents. Out of the 12 serious injuries 7 involved the eyes. Blindness is a heavy penalty to pay for you, your family and all of us for not wearing proper protective equipment on the job.
678 Minor Injuries Occur In January, February and March
In the first 3 months of the year, 678 minor injuries occurred, requiring visits to the plant hospitals. If this rate continues for the next 9 months, approximately 2712 minor accidents will take place. The plant presently employs about 1680 people; at this rate every employee will make 1 1/2 visits to the plant nurses for treatment.
Most injuries incurred, are from cuts and abrasions; bruises and slivers. Although the injuries are not serious, they could be prevented by wearing the proper protective equipment on the job and by checking tools; lifting and carrying heavy objects properly. Many times there’s a tendency to think “an accident won’t happen to me.” But accidents become accidents because safety is not always in mind while performing the job.
TOTAL MINOR ACCIDENTS BY DEPARTMENTS FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH
| DEPARTMENT | EYE | BRUISE | FRAC-TURE | CUTS & ABRA-SIONS | AMPU-TA-TIONS | BURNS | CHEMI-CAL BURNS | Sprains | Back Sprains | DUST OR FUMES | SLIV-ERS | DERM-ATITIS | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Production | 17 | 13 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 90 |
| Reclaim Production | 4 | 10 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 80 |
| Synthetic Production | 0 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 37 |
| Materials Handling | 8 | 7 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 70 |
| Mechanical (Chemical) | 5 | 30 | 1 | 75 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 7 | 180 |
| Mechanical (Synthetic) | 13 | 12 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 104 |
| Research & Development | 8 | 11 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 101 |
| Other | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
| 3 Months Total | 57 | 93 | 4 | 255 | 0 | 40 | 24 | 55 | 26 | 11 | 83 | 30 | 678 |
New Equipment
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to make major replacements in our digesters had we continued under the old system.
For the most part, the job of installation for fibre separation and fine grinding is complete and the system is undergoing trial runs to work out the “bugs”. It is hoped that central mixing and the mill room changes will be complete by the end of 1968.
Fibre separation produces two streams: one predominatingly rubber; the other predominantly fibre. Fibre sepation and fine grinding will be operated by one control panel. The “start-up” and “shut-down” of the equipment is important. The control panel makes it possible for the operator to do this safely and easily.
Unfortunately, delays in the delivery of certain key pieces of equipment have delayed the project for some four months. These delays have made the operations particularly difficult during the dismantling, installation and start-up of new equipment and processes. It has also limited production at a time when our customer’s needs are at an all-time high. Only the greatest added effort of all employees has and can continue to minimize our financial losses during this critical year.
Auto Belt Survey Shows Fewer Drivers Using Them
More automobiles are equipped with seat belts than ever before, but fewer people proportionately are wearing them, according to a nationwide survey reported by the Auto Industries Highway Safety Committee in 1967.
Nearly two-thirds–65 per cent–of the more than one million cars checked were equipped with seat belts. Yet barely more than half the drivers questioned said they always use them on long trips, or 5 per cent less than a year earlier. Only 38 per cent reported they always use belts in local travel.
In 1963, before seat belts were standard equipment in all American cars, only 9 percent of the cars surveyed were so equipped, but nearly three out of every four drivers responding answered “always” to the “use on long trips” question. The percentage of persons stating “never wear” seat belts even on long trips increased to 17 per cent, compared with 10 per cent in 1966.
The Seventh Annual Seat Belt Installation and Use Survey was made during this year’s National Vehicle Safety-Check, a voluntary community program sponsored by the Committee, in which more than 4,700 communities participated. Cars were checked and drivers interviewed in both urban and rural areas from coast to coast, in communities with a population range from under one thousand to over one million.
Vila, Chairman of U.S. Savings Bonds Drive
[PHOTO: George R. Vila, chairman and president of Uniroyal, Inc. recently appointed 1968 rubber industry chairman for the U.S. Savings Bonds Campaign chats with Mrs. Dorie Damuth, Mrs. U.S. Savings Bonds of 1968.]
George R. Vila, chairman and president, Uniroyal, Inc. has been named to the Treasury Department’s U.S. Industrial Payroll Savings Committee by Secretary of the Treasury Henry H. Fowler.
Mr. Vila will serve as chairman for the rubber industry in the 1968 U.S. Savings Bonds Campaign. He will be responsible for planning and leading the campaign.
At Uniroyal plants, the campaign will be run during the month of May. The major promotional efforts were concentrated in the weeks of May 6th and May 15th.
At the Naugatuck plant Fred Wintsch of Industrial Relations was in charge of the campaign to promote the Saving Bond and Freedom Share drive.