OREANDA-NEWS. October 22, 2010. Vyksa Steel Works (VSW, Nizhni Novgorod Region), part of United Metallurgical Company (OMK), launches a project to improve its safety management system in partnership with DuPont, the world's leader in this sphere, reported the press-centre of OMK.

The DuPont project will be implemented in four phases by late 2013. Phase 1 primarily involves training and laying the groundwork for the future changes in safety culture, Phase 2 is supposed to change the management's attitude toward occupational safety in the production management process, while Phases 3 and Phase 4 deal with an element-by-element system improvement based on the DuPont principles.

According to OMK President Vladimir Markin, the project to be implemented at VSW is aimed at making safety management a conscious process involving all of its employees. "I will personally participate in the process for the improvement of safety culture at Vyksa Steel Works. We should reorganize our management system: we became accustomed to the fact that safety experts are responsible for occupational safety. According to the DuPont project, however, every division manager should be responsible, while their activities will be supported with consultations from safety experts," said Mr. Markin.

According to OMK Vice President and VSW Executive Director Vladimir Kochetkov, this project will enable VSW to achieve by 2013 the level of European companies in terms of application of modern safety management methods that make it possible to considerably reduce occupational traumatism. "This is a difficult task, but the relevant global experience will help us achieve our objectives," emphasized Mr. Kochetkov, adding that he will personally supervise the implementation process at VSW.

Coon Vanneyham, President of the DuPont Sustainable Solutions business for Europe, the CIS, Africa, and Middle East emphasized that DuPont collaboration with OMK can develop into a strategic partnership. "DuPont's experience for improvement of safety management systems already produces good results in the CIS countries, including Russia. It is important that a new model of interaction—full-fledged cooperation—is in the making. This type of cooperation will demand great efforts from both sides, as the key issue in achieving success is to change the mentality of employees. This is well understood by the OMK and VSW management," he noted.

Vyksa Steel Works is OMK's first entity to adopt the new system. In the event of successful implementation of this provide, DuPont's safety management standards will also be applied at OMK's other facilities.