The recent increase in forklift-related incidents at our Kunming site (Yunnan province, China) was the trigger for our site management team to act.
The challenge was to raise awareness and knowledge about the safe use of forklifts. Importantly, this initiative was fully aligned with our Life Saving Rule for transport and warehouse safety, which sets the standard for safe practices in all logistics operations at all dsm-firmenich sites.
To put this new process into practice, the site management team organized a forklift workshop and skills contest, led by colleagues outside the Safety, Health & Environment function. Through group discussions of real cases and hands-on activities, everyone from drivers to participants and the audience became more aware of risks and motivated to improve. By aligning our efforts with the LSRs, we saw drivers deepen their understanding of safe forklift operation and identify skill gaps. All participants, including observers, became more aware of risks and learned to recognize potential hazards. Most importantly, the fun and participatory activities brought colleagues closer together, strengthening mutual care and making safety a shared responsibility for all.
Safety first: navigating the new rules
The Kunming site’s success was built on a whole suite of practices. These include conducting routine inspections and dedicated permit checks, following up on actions, embedding safety topics in daily meetings, learning from incidents through root cause analysis at the shop-floor level, recognizing safe behaviors and encouraging group engagement with awards, and finally organizing diverse activities to promote learning and awareness.
