Page 2 CHEM-TEXTS Vol. 11, 1977
Reward for Working Safe…
For the past few weeks our bulletin boards have had notices explaining our 1977 Safety Goals and announcing a Safety Contest that will be operating during 1977. The Safety Contest is being run really to help you remember to work safely!
Why are we willing to reward you for working safely? In almost every instance, after an accident has occurred, an investigation finds that it was caused by inattention. All of us have to remember, every day, that we are working in conditions that can be extremely dangerous. The Company can, and does invest millions of dollars to assure the safety of its employees, but all of it goes to waste, if during the working day, we’re careless. Little things like wearing hard hats, safety glasses or taking the extra time to get a face shield, or gloves when necessary, making sure that the lines are empty before breaking into them and checking that all electrical equipment is “locked out” properly. Some of these things will cause you to walk a few extra steps and perhaps “waste” some time, but if it prevents an accident it is well worth it!
It is a time-worn but true phrase—”ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT ACCIDENTS.”
During 1977 let us all make sure that we concentrate on safety every hour of the day and also be a good neighbor—if you see someone working next to you unsafely, remind them so that they can be there again tomorrow.
If we all do these little things I am sure we’ll reach our 1977 goal and you can have your Christmas dinner on us!
Rj. Maynit [handwritten signature]
Waste Saves Over $16,000
[IMAGE: A crane loads a scrap reactor into a trailer truck]
A crane loads a scrap reactor into a trailer truck. The scrap metal program has not only improved housekeeping but has netted $16,000 in savings.
by Peter Thomas
A scrap metal salvage program was started in early 1975 with the Schiavone Company, to buy and salvage the scrap throughout the plant. Schiavone furnished the truck size boxes for the small and loose metal pieces for their pick up at different spots in the yards and the larger items were placed in a pile which were loaded by a magnetic crane into their trucks.
Seventy five 55 gallon drums were placed in the buildings throughout the plant for small pieces. When filled, they were taken to a collection point.
At the present time it costs more than $16.00 per short ton to dispose of the scrap.
To date over 1,000,000 lbs. of scrap has been sold and over $16,000 received by selling it to scrap dealers.
Save Gasoline
Use gasoline of the proper octane rating. Using too low an octane rating for your car will produce a “ping” which, if sustained, will damage the engine. Using too high an octane rating wastes money and will not produce more power or improve fuel economy.
SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY
Reclaim Plant Dismantled
[IMAGE: Industrial building being demolished]
The Reclaim plant, built in 1892, is in the final stages of demolishment. Over 1,500,000 scrap tires were used annually to manufacture the Reclaim Rubber, once a product much in demand.
The dismantlement of a Naugatuck landmark—the Reclaim Rubber Production unit—is practically complete. The Federal Equipment Co. purchased the plant for resale and salvage and has removed most of the equipment.
Dates Back to 1892
The Reclaim plant dates back to 1892. It was known as the Rubber Regenerating Company and was the oldest part of the present plant.
Employed 200 people
The Reclaim plant employed approximately 200 salary and wage people. Several were transferred to other departments but the majority were placed on layoff. For many years it was a thriving business and used over
1,500,000 scrap tires a year to manufacture reclaim.
Modernized in 1969
The plant was modernized in 1969 to keep it competitive with the synthetic rubber business. At the time it was considered a mag-
ical engineering feat as operations continued while the modernization was being carried out.
The decision was made in 1975 to close the Reclaim plant because of market conditions.
The plant engineer in charge of the project is Thomas Ennis.
Turkeys for Christmas
The Safety Department has announced a “special end of the year award” for all employees at the Naugatuck Chemical location. The incentive is part of its continuing program to promote safety awareness among employees both at work and at home.
All employees will receive a 12-13 lb. turkey at the end of the year if the safety goals are met. The goals are based on last year’s safety performance and require just a slight improvement over 1976.
| Year | Incidence Rate | Experience Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 3.88 | 9.24 |
| 1977 Goals: | 3.07 | 7.52 |
The Incidence Rate is basically the number of incidents versus the manhours worked.
The Experience Rate is the number of incidents and the number of lost days versus the manhours worked.
Plant Security Tightened
On February 28, the Naugatuck Plant initiated a program to tighten plant security.
The program covers three areas: In-plant parking; traffic control; and removal of property from the plant.
The first step in the program was the issuance of new parking passes with a letter of instructions. The letter emphasizes that the Control Station Watchers will not open the gates for any car without the pass in place. Further, anyone who violates the parking rules will have the privilege revoked.
Notice Posted in Plant
On March 1, a notice was posted in the plant and offices regarding the removal of property from the plant—either personal or Company property. Spot checks will be held on employees leaving the plant either on foot or in an automobile. Further, any truck leaving the plant will be subject to a spot check. This policy was effective March 7, 1977. Wage employees’ paychecks carried a
continued on page 4
[IMAGE: Uniroyal tire advertisement]
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MEZZO’S
792 New Haven Rd.
Naugatuck—729-5988
ADVANCE TIRE SERVICE
510 Meriden Rd.
Waterbury—756-7205
POUST’S SERVICE STATION
144 Rubber Ave.
Naugatuck—729-0433