Safety Management System - Workplace Activities at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc.

Implementation of a safety management system (SMS) in automotive manufacturing and assembly has been recognized as an effective way to provide a safe working environment for employees, increase employee morale, and reduce corporate costs. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. (TMMTX) has implemented a SMS in part of a regional goal initiated by Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) to support the OSHA’s Injury & Illness Prevention Program (I2P2). This system provides a systematic way to identify hazards; eliminate or control the risk and incorporate in Toyota Production System. In addition, the established management system provides a framework to meet legal obligations under occupational health and safety regulation. The system implemented provides methods to manage injury and illness related to process safety, ergonomic, and industrial hygiene risks. The system uses joint labor and management teams to identify and evaluate jobs and develop and implement solutions. This paper summarizes the efforts of TMMTX in implementing and maintaining workplace activities that meet the requirements of this safety management system. The methodologies, strategies, and challenges are outlined to provide important links that are critical in sustaining these activities.