UAW-Chrysler

B.E.S.T.

The U.S. auto industry has become increasingly competitive and, to survive, automobile manufacturers must look for ways to reduce costs and increase productivity. Recognizing the potential for furthering both of these goals, the UAW and Chrysler signed a Joint Letter of Agreement in 1999 that created Bringing Excellence to Safety Teams (B.E.S.T.). In creating B.E.S.T., the UAW and Chrysler established the vision of becoming the safest workplace in heavy industry. Both the company and the union recognized that for worker safety to improve, a fundamental change in corporate culture would be necessary.

Benchmarking: In October of 1999, the company sought the assistance of O/E to benchmark the world's safest companies. O/E also helped the company to benchmark some of its own locations. Research showed that individual locations were world-class in one or more elements of employee safety; however, these pockets of excellence were rare, and there was no standard approach to safety as a corporation.

Joint Study Teams & Focus Groups: O/E and UAW-Chrysler completed a gap analysis and determined the extent to which the automobile manufacturer differed from the companies it had benchmarked. Next, they created an initial design and formed joint study teams and focus groups. The joint study teams and focus teams were tasked with determining how applicable the newly designed safety process would be to the company's facilities. During this process, it became clear that many of the best practices discovered at the benchmark companies were already being practiced at the automobile manufacturer, albeit inconsistently and sporadically.

Remarkable Results: From 1990 to 1998, Chrysler saw a flat trend in the total number of injuries at its facilities. After implementing B.E.S.T. (akin to O/E's current SafetyIMPACT! program), Chrysler turned this stagnant trend into a steep, positive downward trend, calculating that they prevented over 14,000 injuries during a five-year period. Although it is a large number, a company of this size could reasonably expect to have 14,000 injuries reported within this timeframe. As a result of the huge reduction in injuries, the company realized a $33 million reduction in the required contributions for Workers' Compensation reserves.

Post-Project Lost Work Day Incidence & Incidence Rates: B.E.S.T. was the catalyst in significant improvements in both the automobile manufacturer's incidence and Lost Work Day Incidence rates. Both these rates—long stagnant and lingering problems—have been transformed into models of process improvement and industry best practice.

Kiosks

Under the UAW-Chrysler Memorandum of Understanding on Health & Safety, and as mandated by the U.S. Federal Government Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), all UAW-Chrysler workers are required to receive health and safety training and information. The training is provided through an interactive training system housed in a kiosk configuration and placed in various locations within each plant.

Training of UAW-represented Chrysler workers through this electronic interactive method works exceptionally well in that it makes scheduling workers for training easier, provides flexibility, can accommodate diverse learning skills and speeds, and overcomes language barriers. At the present time, 116 kiosks are located throughout Chrysler, training UAW workers on health and safety programs such as:

• Aerial Devices
• Confined Space Entry
• Dock Safety
• Fall Protection
• Hazard Identification
• Hazardous Substances
• Energy Lockout/Control
• Low Frequency/High Risk Maintenance Tasks
• Metalworking Fluids
• Office Safety
• Overhead Crane Inspection
• Pedestrian Safety
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Powered Industrial Vehicles
• Robotics Safety
• Slings/Chains/Hoists Inspection

Workers can learn at their own pace which makes the training more meaningful to them. The interactive courseware presents the information using full-motion video, audio, graphics, animation, and text. Questions and computer-simulated problems provide practice and promote retention. The courseware is easy to navigate, gives exactly the same high quality presentation to each worker, and maintains accurate records of worker participation, course completion and the like. It is estimated that more than 144,000 hours of health and safety training is taking place annually.

Health & Safety Certification Programs

These programs provide a means for UAW-represented Health & Safety, Quality, Employee Resource, and EAP representatives to gain expertise in the areas of health and safety, quality, and skills enhancements which are rewarded with a certification from universities, as well as receiving college credits. To date, we have coordinated these programs with Ferris State University, the Professional Development Division of Wayne State University School of Business Administration, and Western Michigan University.

O/E Learning coordinates activities between the universities and the client in the areas of curriculum design and development, instructor selection, and training implementation. The programs encompass 240 hours of training over a three-year period. Proficiency tests have been developed for each topic comprising the programs. Participants are given the opportunity to take these tests and earn credit for their prior knowledge and experience. This is an ongoing program that offers both a means for current representatives to upgrade their skills and earn certification, as well as a way to train new representatives.

Read more of Decoris Glenn’s comments about working with O/E.