first stage in the development of their strategy is to assess every safety code and violation possible. For instance, if an employee of the plant notices water on the floor in the restroom facilities. This is an unsafe condition, which could cause someone to slip and fall. Once the problem is identified a plan is designed to ensure that nobody is hurt. In the case of the restrooms, signs can be posted that say, "caution wet floor," or the facility can be closed until the floor is dried. Although this is a simplified case, it is nevertheless one common in many industries. Action plans are more than security against mishaps. The action plan calls for employee participation. Through training and education, Tosco is trying to instill safety sensitivity in its employees. Each individual should feels as though they have another person’s life in their hands. It is vital that safety action plans are thorough. In an emergency situation, one may forget how to react. Tosco employees practice safety procedures through repetition of training sessions or signs. The assessment stage includes incident investigation. If a worker is injured or a regulation has been violated, proper procedures must be taken. Tosco learned this valuable lesson at the expense of employee’s lives. In February of 1999 Tosco ignored warning signs that there was a serious problem with the Avon refinery near Martinez, California. As a result, a deadly fireball killed four plant workers and severely burned a fifth of the company (San Francisco Chronicle). Tosco lost more than their creditability, reputation, and profits; they lost the lives of four of their employees. In addition to the government standards, Tosco has incorporated their own regulations that mimic Dupont’s. Employees are forced comply with these regulations. Compliance issues help motivate employees for perfect safety records. Tosco has an annual training and testin...
