OREANDA-NEWS. April 30, 2015. PAO Severstal, one of the world's leading vertically integrated steel and steel-related mining companies, ran a number of events in April aimed at engaging its employees in health and safety, in line with the World Steel Association (worldsteel) campaigns recognizing the “World Day for Safety and Health at Work”*.

In Cherepovets Severstal carried out safety audits on the risks associated with moving machinery, falling from a height, moving cranes, gas & asphyxiation  – the most common risks identified by worldsteel as causes of safety incidents at steel facilities.

This year not only Severstal’s own production teams but also its contractor teams participated in the annual audit to ensure that all site workers were involved.

Vadim Larin, COO of Severstal, said: "We are always happy to support Worldsteel annual initiatives aimed at improving safety – one of the most important problems for the industry. At Severstal safety is an everyday priority in which we invest significantly. By implementing international best practice health and safety, we aim to achieve the lowest injury rates in steel and mining industries".

Recent and ongoing safety initiatives at Severstal

In 2014, the company reduced its LTIFR (Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate) to 0.97, achieving a steady decline in the number and rate of injuries.

·         Severstal purchased 449 automatic gas detectors and 170 self-rescue breathing devices for Cherepovets Steel Mill’s gas-hazardous areas in 2014. The programme to fully fit the mill with cutting-edge safety equipment is expected to be completed in 2015.

·         Cherepovets Steel Mill has invested approximately 42 million roubles in installing a local area emergency alarm system to constantly monitor the chemical environment within its ammonia stockroom for flat products and immediately alert the Main Control Room in case of emergency.

·         At its mining assets, Severstal has installed “HERCULES” automatic stone dusters at Vorkutaugol, to increase safety from dust-explosions onsite - an investment of c.25.6 million roubles.

·         A Geso early glow warning system has been installed to prevent fires at Vorkutaugol’s main conveyor - an investmet of 20.7 million roubles.

Severstal has analyzed the last 5 - 10 years of its incident history and identified the incident hot spots for each production area and department. Based on the findings, the company is implementing safety measures to reduce injury rates in these hot spots.

About “World Day for Safety and Health at Work”

A day celebrated annually on 28 April. Initially known as “Workers' Memorial Day”,  the holiday was first created in 1989 by United States and Canadian trade unions and workers to remember employees injured at work. Over a period of ten years, more than 100 countries worldwide worked to raise awareness of occupational safety and health risks. In 2003 the holiday was adopted by the International Labor Organisation who gave it the name “World Day for Safety and Health at Work” with the aim of raising awareness on a global scale.

For more information on Steel Safety Day visit worldsteel website.

To see photos of safety audits carried out at various steel sites around the world, including those of Severstal,. click here.