Firm puts safety firmly first

By Shen Jingting (China Daily)
Updated: 2012-11-19

Samsung trains staff to avoid risk in the workplace

A piercing fire alarm woke people up at midnight. Inside the factory some workers were rushing about with extinguishers. Flames were sweeping through an office. Professional fire fighters were on their way.

During such emergencies every minute can result in life and asset losses. A power outlet overloaded with electrical appliances produced sparks that caused the fire.

This was, however, not a real drama but role-playing. Employees of Samsung (China) Investment Co were holding an annual safety risk precaution exercise in Tianjin to familiarize themselves with security management and enhance their safety awareness in everyday work.

It was the fourth year that Samsung China had organized the event. The world's leading electronics product manufacturer has 39 manufacturing subsidiaries in China. The company produces products and services targeting various industries, including electronics, construction, chemicals and textiles.

Safety is important in Samsung China's daily operations. "By using methods such as stage plays, talk shows and video clips we can vividly demonstrate the potential harm of accidents," said an official at Samsung China's communications department.

"Many accidents occur because of faulty operational methods and poor protection. The performances present potential dangers to people and encourage them to pay more attention to safety precautions," the official added.

As part of its safety policy, Samsung Heavy Industries (Rongcheng) Co, a shipbuilding company based in Rongcheng, in Shandong province, conducts workshops on safety knowledge for every new hire. It also holds ad hoc inspections in the workplace to prevent accidents.

Won-Kie Chang, president and chief executive officer of Greater China, Samsung Group, said the company aims to be environmentally friendly. "We respect humans and nature and actively shoulder social responsibilities," Chang said, during the Tianjin exercise. "We hope to create a more comfortable and safer workplace for our people."

The human-oriented approach does not only exist with regard to safe production but is also manifest in many other aspects. Samsung says it cares for employees' professional development as well as their everyday lives.

Samsung Electronics (Suzhou) Semiconductor Co, based in Suzhou, in Jiangsu province, is the first semiconductor production hub for Samsung in Asia. The company currently employs more than 3,000 staff and provides study and entertainment for them.

"Most of our workers are very young and have just graduated from technical secondary schools. Some of them do not adapt to working life quickly so we have dormitories where they live to help them make friends and develop their personalities," said Shi Feng, a senior manager of Suzhou Semiconductor.

Workers can attend Samsung University to continue studying. The company provides really outstanding workers with training in South Korea or study at Guanghua School of Management, part of Peking University in Beijing, Shi said.

As more and more Chinese employees are the only child in his or her family, he or she appears to be a little more psychologically vulnerable when facing problems, said Wang Xun, a senior manager of the environment and safety group at Samsung (Tianjin) Electro-Mechanics Co.

"We created consulting rooms staffed by psychologists and invite employees to talk to our counselors," Wang said.

shenjingting@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/19/2012 page22)