Policy Key Points
This policy outlines the safety responsibilities and rules for all associates and supervisors at Yaskawa America, Inc. to ensure a safe working environment.
Supervisors must ensure that associates receive all necessary training to perform their jobs safely and ensure associates are aware of all safety rules and hazards in their work areas.
Activities such as horseplay, fighting, running (except in emergencies), and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs are strictly prohibited.
Unauthorized use of equipment or tampering with safety devices is not allowed.
Safety is a shared responsibility, and adherence to safety protocols is mandatory.
Policy
Introduction
This policy sets forth the safety rules established by the Corporate Safety Planning Committee and the training required to meet Company, Customer, and OSHA Requirements.
Responsibilities
Each Associate's Direct Supervisor
- Ensure associates receive the proper training necessary to perform their job.
- Ensure associates are aware of the rules contained in this policy.
- Ensure associate's follow the rules in this policy and any other safety rules defined elsewhere.
- Ensure associates are aware of all of the hazards they will encounter in their work areas.
Each Associate
- Complete all required safety related training.
- Ensure all content of the safety training is understood. Ask your supervisor or EHS Risk Mitigation Manager if you have any questions related to the safety training, safety requirements for the position, or hazards present in the job.
- Report all incidents including:
- Work Related Injuries
- Work Related Illnesses
- Incidents involving Property Damage
- Near Misses
- Observations of Unsafe Behavior
- Observations of Unsafe Conditions
Safety Rules
These general safety rules apply to all Yaskawa associates and contract workers and to all work areas. Additional rules may apply to specific jobs, in specific work areas, and in special situations.
General Safety Rules
- Associates must know and observe safety rules applicable to their work. Each associate's compliance with all safety rules is a condition of employment at Yaskawa America, Inc.
- Any injury, no matter how slight, including exposure to hazardous materials and contact with hazardous chemicals, must be promptly reported to management.
Yaskawa's First Report of Incident form must be completed for all:
- Incident causing any injury or workplace illness,
- Incident resulting in property damage,
- Powered Industrial Vehicle Accident or Near Miss,
- Powered Industrial Vehicle Observation of Unsafe Behavior,
- Near Miss. A Near Miss is a potential hazard or incident in which no personal injury was sustained and no property was damaged, but where, given a slight shift in time or position, an injury or damage easily could have occurred.
The First Report of Incident Form is located at www.YaskawaSafety.com at this link.
- The following are strictly prohibited and will not be allowed:
- Horseplay,
- Practical Jokes,
- Fighting,
- Throwing Objects,
- Running, except in Emergencies,
- Being under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs,
- Use of illegal drugs,
- Unauthorized use of prescription drugs,
- Firearms and other weapons,
- Tampering with equipment,
- Use of equipment without authorization or proper training.
- Equipment will not be operated unless all guards and safety devices are in place. Guards must never be removed or altered in any manner.
- Smoking or use of smokeless tobacco products is not allowed at any place in any Yaskawa facility, except for designated smoking areas.
- All personal protective equipment must be worn when and where required, including safety glasses, hardhats, shoes, gloves, etc. NOTE: All associates, including office personnel, must where shoes that completely cover their feet.
- Lockout and tagout procedures must be followed at all times when machine maintenance is being performed.
- Flammable and/or corrosive liquids (materials) must be contained and transported in approved containers. All liquids and/or materials should also be stored in locations designated for this purpose.
- The operator of a powered industrial vehicle is responsible for its safe operation. Only authorized operators may operate powered industrial vehicles. Forklifts must be driven at a slow, safe speed) and loads must be carried low to the ground. Powered industrial vehicles include, but are not limited to:
- Fork Lifts/Lift Trucks,
- Order Pickers,
- Powered Pallet Jacks,
- Powered Material Movement Carts (such as a golf cart used to transport materials)
- Emergency equipment is not to be blocked for any reason.
- Good housekeeping practices must be maintained at all times. Associates must leave their places of work orderly and clean in the interest of safety. There may be days when the floors of the plant are slippery due to weather change. When floors are wet, be extremely careful when walking. Clean all spills immediately with proper equipment (mop and bucket, wet vacuum, absorbent pads, etc.).
- All unsafe acts and conditions must be corrected promptly or reported to your immediate supervisor if they cannot be corrected.
- All containers of material must be clearly identified with the name of the material and GHS label. Do not use unidentified material.
- Established safety procedures must be followed at all times.
- Incidents that may have weakened or damaged equipment must be reported to management at once.
- Only qualified and authorized personnel may perform maintenance or repair work.
- Any person present in, or passing through, an area must observe the safety rules of that area.
- Jewelry (such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces) and loose clothing are not to be worn when working around electrical equipment or moving machinery.
- Broken or defective hand tools are required to be removed immediately from service and reported to management.
- The use of earphones, headphones, or other devices (other than hearing protection PPE) which have the potential to reduce hearing will not be allowed within associate production, warehouse, repair, or lab areas.
- Associates are not allowed to wear loose clothing, such as neckties, loose dresses, or loose shirts when working around machinery. Long pants and appropriate shirts must be worn at all times within associate work areas. Work rules and exposure to equipment do not permit associates to work without long pants and shirts at any time or occasion.
- Learn the proper and safe way to do a job. If you are not sure how to do a job, ask your supervisor for assistance.
- Be aware of conditions in your work area. If you see any unsafe conditions, you must bring them to your supervisor's attention and wait for corrective action to be taken before beginning work.
- Any operator of a piece of equipment must be at least 18 years old.
- When equipment must be cleaned, maintained, or repaired, this work must be done in accordance with the company lockout/tagout procedures. This is for the safety of you and your equipment.
- All safety devices such as interlocks, barriers, gate locks, or other locking or restricting entry types are for your protection and must not be removed. Anyone removing or altering any safety device will be subject to immediate dismissal.
- Approved type protective goggles of proper shade (color) must be worn when welding or working close to a welding operation.
- Keep your hand tools in proper condition. If they are damaged, broken, or worn out, have your supervisor replace them.
- No associate may operate any piece of machinery or equipment unless authorized by the department supervisor.
- Do not use compressed air to clean yourself or your clothing.
- Any and all safeguards removed during repairs or maintenance must be properly replaced before the machine is put back into operation.
- Oily rags or open cans of flammable liquids must not be left at associate's workstations.
- Know where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them. Tampering with fire extinguishers is cause for immediate dismissal.
- Do not look into the heli-arc area when welding is being done; serious eye damage will result.
- When lifting heavy loads, use the strength of your legs and not your back. Get help if the load is too heavy.
- The maximum weight for one person to lift is 40 lbs.
- The maximum weight for a two-person lift is 60 lbs.
- Mechanical lift devices are required for lifting an object greater than 60 lbs.
- Wherever possible, a wheeled cart shall not be used on a sloped surface. When this is unavoidable, the following conditions must be met:
- The slope shall not exceed 8.33%, or 1:12 maximum slope,
- A cart that is designed for material handling, such as a Rubbermaid Utility Cart, shall be used,
- If the cart is to be rolled outside of the facility, the cart shall have indoor/outdoor rated wheels,
- The cart shall not be loaded with more than 50 lbs,
- The cart shall have lips on each shelf to prevent items from sliding off,
- The operator shall remain on the high side so if the operator loses control, they can let go and be free of the hazard, and
- The operator shall ensure that no person is below the load and no hazardous conditions exist below the load that would cause a hazard if the operator loses control of the cart.
- Never use any power equipment unless it is properly grounded. Report missing ground prongs on cords and plugs and any loose wiring to your supervisor immediately.
- Drive at a slow, safe speed in the parking lot. Follow posted speed limits.
- Keep objects at least three feet away from electrical switch boxes and circuit breaker panels. The area in front of them must remain clear so that they can be quickly reached in case of an emergency.
- Never block fire extinguishers, fire hoses, aisles, or exits with material or other objects.
- Marked aisles must be kept clear at all times.
- Ladders must be in good condition and equipped with safety feet. Assistance must be obtained prior to using when a slipping potential exists. Do not use any makeshift scaffolding, rigging, or staging.
- No one is allowed to operate a powered industrial vehicle unless trained and qualified by Yaskawa.
- Do not lift personnel on forks or makeshift platforms. Use only a secured, safety platform.
- No one is allowed near a load or lift truck while the operator is lifting, lowering, or repositioning a load.
- Only approved dock plates, which are strong enough to carry the load imposed on them, secured in place, proper handholds on plates, and secured transport vehicles by means of wheel chocks are to be used.
- Associates must ensure that all areas are properly illuminated prior to the start of work.
- Associates must ensure that all areas of work have adequate means of egress and that all exit aisle ways are adequate to assure safe passage.
- Associates shall not use cell phones or other devices that lead to distracted driving while:
- Driving a company vehicle
- Driving a personal vehicle while on company business
- Driving a personal vehicle while on company property
Associate Orientation
All required safety onboarding (orientation) training shall be completed within the first 30 days of employment and before the associate is exposed to a hazard that is addressed in the training module.
| Training Topic |
Required For |
Additional Requirements |
|
All Assoc. |
Production |
Testing |
Warehouse |
Repair |
Field Service |
Lab |
| General Safety/Hazard Awareness |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accident and Near Miss Reporting |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
Review w Supervisor |
| Emergency Action Plan |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
Review w Supervisor |
| Bloodborne Pathogen |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| General Electrical Safety |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Review w Supervisor |
| Ergonomic Basics |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fall Protection |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
| Fire Prevention and Protection |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
Review w Supervisor |
| Hazard Communication |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
Review w Supervisor |
| Material Handling/Back Safety |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
Review w Supervisor |
| Personal Protective Equipment |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
Review w Supervisor |
| Powered Industrial Vehicle Safety |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
| Workplace Violence |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where supervisor review is indicated in the table, the review shall include:
- The specific hazards and accident prevention for the assigned areas, and
- How to apply the knowledge learned in the training to the associate's job assignment(s).
Supervisor Safety Training
For the purpose of this policy, a Supervisor is any Yaskawa associate who has a person or persons reporting directly to him or her.
- Supervisors must complete all of the mandated orientation safety training required for their work area so they can answer questions related to that training.
- Supervisors shall provide a job-specific orientation to all direct reports. This orientation shall include all newly hired employees and contract workers, and those employees and contract workers who have transferred from other jobs.
- Topics to be discussed during the safety orientation are as follows:
- Review of Yaskawa Safety Training topics
- Issue the associate a copy of the Safety Rules
- Review of accident procedures and first aid locations
- Review of required Personal Protective Equipment
- Review safety violation notification and enforcement procedures
- Review of all hazards, including chemical hazards, specific to the work areas for which the associate will be exposed
- Instruction to the associate to immediately report any accident, near miss, unsafe act, or unsafe condition.
Results of Breaches of Policy
Breaching this policy may result in an injury. Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action being initiated in accordance with Yaskawa America's discipline policy.
Training
All associates shall be provided with training related to this policy.
Revision History
| Rev # |
Description |
Release Date |
Approved by |
| 0 |
Conversion of old safety documents, rewrite, and issue |
9/12/2016 |
Thurwanger |
| 1 |
Added Orientation Matrix |
1/28/2019 |
Thurwanger |
| 2 |
Added Supervisor Safety Training |
2/14/2019 |
Thurwanger |
| 3 |
Added link to First Report of Incident form |
2/7/2020 |
Thurwanger |
| 4 |
Added rules for material handling on sloped surfaces |
5/5/2025 |
Thurwanger |
|
|
|
|
Program Review
| Review Date |
Reviewed by |
Changes Required (Yes/No) |
Revision # if updated |
| 2/21/2017 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
| 1/16/2018 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
| 1/22/2019 |
Thurwanger |
Yes |
1,2 |
| 1/14/2020 |
Thurwanger |
Yes |
3 |
| 1/21/2021 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
| 1/18/2022 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
| 1/31/2023 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
| 1/16/2024 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
| 1/21/2025 |
Thurwanger |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
