‘The best in industry in the personal security’
The surface treatment industry is considered heavy, dirty and dangerous. In 2021, a new safety project was therefore launched. The aim is to ensure that employees have the latest protective equipment – and the knowledge to use it.
– We want to be the best in the industry in personal security, says CEO Henrik Dyberg.
Proton Finishing is currently conducting a major review of its sustainability work, as part of its long-term strategy. ‘The work environment weighs heavily here,’ says Henrik Dyberg.
– ‘It’s in the nature of things. When you work with surface treatment, dangerous chemicals are part of everyday life. Many of them are fatal if you get it wrong. That is why we have launched a project focusing on personal safety.
In co-operation with the supplier Medical Care System, Proton Finishing has inventoried all units to investigate whether procedures and protective equipment can be further improved. The employees concerned attend continuous refresher courses specifically linked to chemical safety.
– So it’s not about maintaining a minimum level, but about becoming the best in the industry at personal safety. Our ambition is to have no incidents and for everyone to feel safe and secure at work,’ says Henrik Dyberg.
Need to move fast
The first priority is to prevent an accident from happening, through proper
training, proper handling and the right protective equipment,’ explains Markus Wahren, Marketing Manager at Medical Care System.
– We reviewed all of Proton Finishing’s facilities and examined the safety of chemical handling. Among other things, we have checked that the correct personal protective equipment is worn, such as gloves, overalls, glasses, face masks and visors.
And should something happen, the latest equipment should be in place to neutralise or minimise damage.
– Chemicals penetrate the skin or eye and enter tissues. Therefore, it is extremely important to remove them immediately and to use a rinse solution that is hypertonic. This means that the rinse solution will draw the chemicals out of the tissue even if the chemical has penetrated deeply. Otherwise, chemicals that penetrate the skin or eye can continue to damage the tissue for days.
Carrying a personalised eye wash that neutralises the chemicals saves valuable time as it can be used immediately.
So it’s not about maintaining a minimum level, but about becoming the best in the industry at
personal safety. Our ambition is to have no incidents and for everyone to feel safe and secure
safe at work, says Henrik Dyberg.
Requires knowledge
Nor is it enough to have protective equipment in place. Employees must have the knowledge to use it properly.
– Different types of protective gloves are required for different types of chemicals. You can’t just put on a glove and think you’re protected. You need to wear the right glove. Another thing that many people overlook is that all gloves that have been exposed to chemicals must be considered disposable. You cannot put them down and let the next person use them, as they may have been exposed to breakthroughs. Many people who get skin problems have used old gloves where the chemicals have broken through.
Safety in everyday life
Marie Askestam is site manager at Proton Finishing in Forsheda, which is one of the plants with the toughest working environment.
– Our chemical baths range from corrosive to hot, alkaline and acidic and require very good safety and emergency preparedness procedures. With us, goggles, gloves and the new eye showers are mandatory as soon as you step on the line. For us, it’s important to know that we really are equipped with the best there is.
The Diphoterine® solution is now also available in the form of a portable full-body shower, not unlike a fire extinguisher.
– So if you get splashed, you can undress and shower right away, on the spot, without having to run to an emergency shower. These kinds of solutions can make all the difference. Because even if we know how to work safely, unfortunately there is always the human factor.
Beautiful factories
Personal security is one of the most important
elements of sustainable business.
We need to be able to stand up to our customers, end-customers and other stakeholders and show that we work in a sustainable way and that the people who work in our factories are doing well,’ emphasises Maria Thom, Sustainability Manager. – ‘In our strategy we talk about having “beautiful factories”. And of course we don’t just mean the surface, but that everyone who works for us should feel good. We are now equipping our factories with the very best emergency preparedness, while giving our employees specialised knowledge and knowing how to act if the unthinkable happens. Being able to offer a safe and secure workplace with a high job satisfaction factor is crucial for us to be able to recruit and retain employees. For us, it is very important to have a good reputation.
We need to be able to stand up to our customers, end-customers and other stakeholders and show that we work in a sustainable way and that the people who work in our factories are happy.
Maria Thom
Hållbarhetschef
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