The Open Management Journal

2009, 2 : 17-27
Published online 2009 December 08. DOI: 10.2174/1874948800902010017
Publisher ID: TOMANAJ-2-17

Evolution of Safety Management and Systems in a Steel Production Organization

Pekka Tervonen , Harri Haapasalo and Maarit Niemelä
Rautaruukki Plc, P.O. Box 93, FI-92101 Raahe, Finland

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research was to examine the development of safety management in case company Production division. The emphasis is on the present situation and the purpose was to give a general view of safety management. The idea was also to create practical implications as development focuses for the future. The theoretical background of this research is based on organizations, management and leadership, safety culture, safety management systems and risk management. The safety management systems and methods and the historical background were reviewed. The case description is based on ten interviews made in four production sites of the case organisation. The interviews were used to create a description of the historical development and the applications of different sectors of safety management. The most important strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are summarized by applying SWOT analysis. The present situation of the corporate safety and security was assessed by means of an applied version of Capability Maturity Model Integration. The future development focuses were created on the basis of theory, interviews, SWOT analysis and CMMI model. Personnel safety, crime prevention, security of premises and safety in case of nondomestic activity are on a low level. Occupational and Environmental safety are on a highest level. Safety actions should be more proactive and systematic.

Keywords:

Safety management, risk managemen, safety culture, safety development, corporate safety and security.