Latest safety record for DPI Plastics Roodekop manufacturing facility

/ MEDIA STATEMENT / This content is not written by Creamer Media, but is a supplied media statement.

A leading proponent of health, safety and the wellbeing of its employees, DPI Plastics is proud to announce it has maintained a Disabling Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) of <1 for the past year, in accordance with OHSAS 18001’s standard AS NOSA Five Star principles.

As a recognised leading manufacturer of plastic pipes and fittings, DPI Plastics has been OHSAS 18001 certified by DEKRA, a leading global provider of auditing and certification services, specialising in the fields of safety, environment and health.

“During our last surveillance audit held on 2 June 2016, we had only one minor non-conformance, which emanated from the previous audit. This was closed immediately during the audit, and certified as such on the same day,” Khanyiso Sihawu, Safety Officer at DPI Plastics’ Roodekop, Johannesburg manufacturing facility comments.

All new employees undergo safety training during their induction. “It is also very important that visitors to our manufacturing facilities familiarise themselves with our safety procedures, which is done by means of a comprehensive safety leaflet and animation video,” Sihawu adds.

All departments hold Safety Toolbox Talks on a weekly basis as part of the safety drive at the manufacturer. “This initiative helps us educate employees on various safety issues, especially the relevant legislation. We have also introduced specific workplace challenge initiatives.” DPI Plastics has introduced a system of near miss/safety observation reporting, which involved training all employees on the correct procedure to report unsafe workplace conditions or actions. “Our near-miss reporting card system serves as a means to encourage workers to report any deviations from safety best practice,” Sihawu explains.

Other safety-related initiatives include the introduction of reverse parking as mandatory at Roodekop. The manufacturer has also introduced a 5S system as means of improving safety in the warehouse environment. This system encourages proper housekeeping, which Sihawu stresses is the basis of an effective safety strategy, including the factory. “At DPI Plastics, management takes the lead when it comes to safety, in order to stress that this is not only the responsibility of employees,” Sihawu elaborates. This is reinforced by company-wide slogans such as ‘Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility’.
DPI Plastics has a daily on-site clinic, as well as providing yearly flu vaccinations for all employees. “Safety is an ongoing priority, as evidenced by the fact that safety meetings are held on a monthly basis as a means of continuous communication about safety issues,” Sihawu notes.

These vital meetings are chaired by the Operations Director as a sign of commitment to the process by top management. “This means that any serious underlying safety issues can be identified immediately. Our MD also drives the process by commencing all Exco meetings with safety as the initial topic.”

In addition, DPI Plastics’ manufacturing facilities in the rest of Africa have also adopted company-wide safety principles such as emergency procedures, the 5S system, reverse parking, compliance with local legislation, and screening workers for early indications of non-occupational diseases.

“As a company, we have a vision of improving the safety and wellness of our employees continuously. Our vision of zero incidents is communicated constantly. In this way, we not only benefit our employees, but also boost our productivity and staff morale,” Sihawu concludes.