U.S. Steel Corporatioin
From You to Me to We US Steels Safety Journey

‘From You to Me to We' – U.S. Steel’s Safety Journey

Sept. 20, 2016
“Creating a culture of no incidents, is no accident,” said Mario Longhi, CEO of U.S. Steel Corp. at the 2016 SLC Conference in Pittsburgh.

The company that first coined the phrase “safety first” back in 1912, is still committed to its safety ideals in 2016.  

“Creating a culture of no incidents, is no accident,” said Mario Longhi, CEO of U.S. Steel Corp. at the 2016 SLC Conference in Pittsburgh.

To create this cultures Longhi explained that the company is transforming safety from a top down directive to a value that fosters personal responsibility.  This change is achieved by moving from "you" to "me" to "we". “You” is when management tells people how to work safely.  “Me” is when I ask how can I make sure I’m working safety. And “we” is where every person routinely asks how he or she can help everyone work more safely.

This new mindset will help the company reach their desired goal of zero incidents and injuries.

“At US Steel we believe that all incident and injuries can be prevented by creating and reinforcing a culture of shared commitment,” said Longhi. 

One of the tools the company used to create this culture was a program created in 2012 called the Carnegie Way. The program was how the company carried out its shareholder value creation strategy which was to “earn the right to grow and drive and sustain profitable growth.” Safety goals were an integral party of this program and in 2013 the company had one of its safest years in its history.

To explain how the goal was achieved Longhi talked about how the company engaged its employees in the area of safety.

The four basic methods the company used were to:

-Focus on training current employees

-Embed safety culture in new employees -- This is especially important for the company as the majority of its population is nearing retirement age.

-Develope a Safety Academy which provided increased skills and tools for leaders  

- Collaborate with United Steelworkers union

The improved program has caught the attention of other companies. Longhi said that his company began benchmarking against other manufacturing companies in 2004. Currently other companies are benchmarking against U.S. Steel. “In many ways the student has started becoming the teacher,” Longhi said.

Longhi pointed out that safety improvements are not separate from overall company objectives. “When safety comes fist many other positive results will follow.”

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Email [email protected]

LinkedIn

Adrienne Selko is also the senior editor at Material Handling and Logistics and is a former editor of IndustryWeek. 

 

 

 

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!