Austin Powder fosters a culture of worker participation and consultation in safety, health, environment, and sustainability (SHES) initiatives across our global operations.
In 2023, Austin Powder formalized the creation of specialized Technical Panel Teams that consult on complex projects, new technologies, incident investigations, and analysis.
The majority of projects and Management of Change involve the development or modification of existing technologies or operations. These are managed through the Project Management system and assessed through the Hazard Study system.
The integrity of this approach relies on the personnel involved in the studies having experience in the relevant technologies, giving a high level of assurance to the safety of the project.
The Panels are integrated by selected employees from different areas who have extensive experience in manufacturing, development, application, and engineering and the ability to question and analyze.
Training is a central focus of the Austin Powder SHES Management System, ensuring that personnel are well-prepared for all tasks, familiar with plant SHES rules, and proficient in emergency procedures. Austin Powder manages all legally required training through each location’s training matrixes, maintaining formal records that confirm the competencies of operators, supervisors, and managers.
In 2023, Austin Powder made significant strides in expanding the “License to Supervise” initiative across the LATAM region. This initiative encompasses specific SHES training programs designed to ensure that plant supervisors and leaders fully comprehend their roles and responsibilities in SHES competencies. The program aims to establish a robust authorization and control system, certifying that only qualified and trained individuals can assume supervisory roles in various plants and operations. Upon completing the training and passing a final test, participants receive certificates, with more than 120 supervisors in LATAM certified during 2023.
Another vital training initiative at Austin Powder is the “Basis of Safety” (BOS) program. This program comprises a set of protocols, procedures, and behaviors derived from the explosives industry’s accumulated knowledge and experiences. Its primary objectives are to prevent catastrophic incidents and minimize their consequences. Each plant and operation includes BOS training in its matrix, with content tailored to the specific operations and materials handled.
High-potential risk manufacturing plants undergo an annual corporate BOS audit, culminating in an internal License to Operate. These audits rigorously verify that all personnel are trained in BOS and can demonstrate competency through written tests. The audits also assess specific training content, the level of tests administered, and the operators’ knowledge through interviews. This comprehensive approach ensures that Austin Powder maintains the highest standards of safety and competency across all its operations.
We are a traditional manufacturer of initiation systems for industrial blasting operations and an important technological and research base for production and further development of initiation systems.
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