Workplace safety at Alcoa
Case study report – Workplace safety ay Alcoa
Zero may seem like an impossible goal, but it is achievable, and there are workplaces out there that
we can look to for proof. One example is Alcoa, the world’s leading producer of aluminium. Alcoa
prominently touts its commitment to workplace safety and proclaims that “Zero Is Possible.”
Introduction –
Alcoa is the world’s largest company founded in 1888, which produces Aluminium, fabricated
aluminium (sheet, plate, and finished products) from Alumina. Alcoa’s Mission Valley works is most
complex plant and crucial to company’s overall success. In 1990, Mission valley plant was struggling
to improve its performance. Thus, plant was facing pressure to increase profitability.
Paul O’Neil, new CEO of Alcoa in 1987, announced the plant’s top priority will be ‘Safety’. At that
time, Alcoa has the best safety records not only in Aluminium industry but also amongst top
companies in USA.
Mission valley plant has four major operating department smelting, ingot, rolling, fabrication. Plant
was supervised by Curtis Tevens (in 1988) after working many years as sales manager at Alcoa. Every
department manager and safety manager were reporting to Curtis.
Road to ‘Zero Is Possible’ –
Mission Valley plant followed methodologies and done changes in the system to reach the goal Zero.
From 1970, Alcoa is following OSHA regulations. Alcoa included contractors and conducted audits of
plant safety. Also, facility records and investigates every injury free incident.
