Doing it the Smith Way

 

An aggressive approach to improve technologies, tools and courses is an important part of the Rinker Materials Transport Division’s drive toward Zero4Life.

Taking the lead from Florida Materials, Transport recently decided to provide the Smith System training to its 1,100 plus fleet of owner-operators.

The Smith System is a driver improvement or “defensive driving” course used by Rinker Materials and many Fortune 500 companies.

The goal - set in August 2005 - was to have all 1,100 owner-operators plus contractors “Smith trained” by August 2006. Transport is proud to report that they achieved this goal.

“This is an excellent display of the effectiveness of goal setting and the commitment that all of the personnel in Transport took on to make this a reality,” says Gary Pearson, Transport Division safety director. “Many of the Smith Certified instructors travelled to other parts of the state to help out with terminals in need. Some spent many Saturdays teaching the course so that shipments would not be delayed. None of this could have happened had it not been for the drivers themselves who ‘bought in’ and made it a reality.”

Transport is now “doing it the Smith Way” and seeing returns on their investment. Thanks to all in Transport for staying focused on the goal. You did it!

 

Managing Zero4Life

The Senior Operations Safety Team (SOST) recently met in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to address a variety of safety and health issues.

With approximately 65 members from the owner’s team, executive team, senior operations managers and regional safety and health directors, the SOST was developed under the direction of Rinker CEO David Clarke to facilitate the sharing of best management practices. It was also created to help refine the overall safety and health management strategy and to address policy issues affecting Rinker.

“We are doing more to share best practices and ensure that good safety ideas don’t go unexploited,” says David Clarke. “The SOST is one mechanism to help us improve that type of communication.”

Meeting twice per year, the agenda for the full day meeting includes topics such as near miss reporting, safe guards for working alone, electrical safety practices and accountability.

“With senior managers attending from Australia and throughout the U.S., this is a great way to gain consensus on issues that would be addressed less effectively through e-mail or telephone conferences,” says Tom Hethmon, vice president of safety and occupational health. “It is also another indication of how serious the company is about Zero4Life."