January 31, 2018

The SSVA SHRM Chapter met on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 11:30 AM, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). 

Ronnie Pannell called the meeting to order and acknowledged January birthdays.

He Informed that the Va. SHRM State Conference will be held at the Omni Homestead 4/22 – 4/25/18.

SHRM 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition is in Chicago 6/17 – 6/20/18.

Installation of 2018 Chapter Officers was presented by Donna Hankins with the Oath of Officers and Pledge

The board reports were omitted this month due to Installation of the 2018 Board & Officers.

Jean Burks introduced our presenter, Michael Russell, with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

Speakers Presentation was on Driving Engagement Through Open Communication.

Michael informed that Goodyear had one fatality in August 2015, 2 fatalities in March 2016, and one fatality in August 2016.  He said they definitely had a need to change their safety program because of these statistics.  A video of the plant was presented to show the Danville Transformation.  It demonstrated the conditions of the plant and their communications plan.  Goodyear’s focus was on the environment both internally and externally.  The Safety Team developed and installed instructions of machine operation and placed throughout the facility on the machines, upgraded lunch room lighting, they now hold quarterly and workspace meetings at the employees work space, opposed to holding meetings in a meeting area.  The plant is 47 acres, so they cover a lot of territory.  They implemented a Q & A from their meetings post this throughout the plant so employees can see their questions are addressed.  A Communications Team was developed and a plant status update is posted in the company newsletter.  Michael communicated that before the plant focus was on production, but OSHA has demanded that there be more focus on the employees.

Jean Burks presented that she is on the Critical Incident Stress Management Team and they are the individuals that deliver messages to the family of employee incidents and fatalities.  She spoke about their EAP and shared that they have counselors available to meet with their employees twice weekly to discuss issues.  Jean also reported that 2017 was their safest year thus far.

Michael responded to questions from the members.  One member asked, how do we resolve fatalities?  Michael replied, organizations need to move forward with safety plans and quit pointing fingers to place the blame.  Another member asked if he felt these fatalities would have happened if they had a better plan in place and Michael replied yes, but this was definitely a wake-up call because the plant was losing employees.  Michael informed that OSHA is at the plant a lot helping them to turn things around.  They have OSHA counselors to assist with clean up and there are no citing’s while working the VPP (Vol Pro Plan).  Goodyear also added new positions to their Safety Department….A Safety Manager, 5 Safety Coordinators and Department Safety Rep.  The culture has been Union vs Non-Union…see/say/do, but they are attempting to improve this.

• Door Prize drawing.   Winner:  ?
• Reminder:  Dues should be paid by the February 2018 Chapter meeting.
• Jean asked members to email her if they had programs they would like to suggest for 2018.
• The Chapter was informed that we had 5 Board members to attend the State Leadership Conference.

   

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 pm.