Six Sigma helps reduce motor vehicle accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are an increasing occurrence in today’s fast-paced world. In an innovative measure, Dow’s Hydrocarbons and Energy business unit (HC&E) has extended the application of the well-established industry practice of the Six Sigma methodology of MAIC (Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) to develop a practical program for reducing such accidents.
After the initial study in 2002, a control plan was deployed in January 2003. Post-implementation observation of data reveals that there is a 30 percent reduction in motor vehicle accidents witnessed by HC&E over the period 2003-2004. While the accident data for the years 2001 and 2002 showed 23 accidents each year (46 for both the years), only 32 accidents were witnessed for 2003 and 2004 put together (15 for 2003 and 17 for 2004). CCH reports:
Following this success, many of the training materials developed by the project team, such as a Vehicle Pre-Startup Checklist, have been adopted for use at other Dow businesses. OSHA reported this case study but noted that the views do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of the US Department of Labor.
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