GRAY, La. – Danos completed 2016 with a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.11, the lowest since the company began tracking the data in 1979. The company credits this record to its comprehensive safety management system and the dedication of employees at every level.
“We’re extremely proud that our team’s focus on working safely is reflected in this record-low TRIR,” said Eric Danos, executive vice president. “Whether it’s mentoring or safety seminars or process audits – everything we do is about giving our employees the skills they need to be safe and to be leaders by improving the overall safety of the places they live and work.”
Danos’ comprehensive approach to safety begins with the hiring process, ensuring that all employees are tested, screened and selected based on strict criteria. Once onboard, new hires undergo a multilevel orientation program that provides both general and job-specific training and education. All Danos employees are required to sign a “Work Safe” pledge, committing to abide by established safety practices. Ongoing safety meetings, seminars, training and mentoring reinforce this commitment and provide opportunities for further learning and improvement.
In addition, Danos incentivizes safe behavior for all employees through a variety of proprietary initiatives, rewarding them for using stop work authority or sharing safety concerns with customers. In order to make safety reporting easier and more effective, Danos developed “W.A.T.C.H.” cards (Working Always to Control Hazards) that workers can submit via paper slips or electronically. This program allows managers to closely track safety successes or concerns in real time and to use that information to improve safety throughout the company. In 2016, Danos employees submitted nearly 17,000 W.A.T.C.H. cards.
Danos also works in partnership with its customers to develop safety standards and procedures that are aligned and meet project needs. Pre-job safety planning processes detail the necessary equipment and personnel assignments for every project. Safety inspections and audits of worksites, including joint audits with customers, provide additional accountability.
Over the course of its 70-year history, Danos has constantly sought to improve and refine its approach to safety, developing new programs, positions, departments, standards and training modules to address new challenges. Danos employees are active in a number of industry groups focused on safety, including the American Society of Safety Engineers, Gulf Coast Safety Training Group, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Safety Council, Offshore Operators Committee, Center for Offshore Safety, LA1 Coalition and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
