Safe Acts

Even the best-designed workplace is only as safe as the behavior of the people who work there. We raise awareness of safety issues and reinforce it consistently with employees via regular communication at work group meetings and trainings for managers, supervisors and engineers who design equipment.

Our President's Health & Safety Award Program recognizes Ford facilities and groups with outstanding safety innovations and results, thereby encouraging others to follow suit. The award is given in three categories – performance, innovation and special recognition. To win a performance award, facilities must meet or exceed annual corporate health and safety objectives. Ford did not give any performance awards during 2008 due to the fatality and serious injury performance of the Company. Ford did, however, present several individual recognition awards for exceptional Health and Safety Leadership. The Roman Krygier Award honors those leaders who help to make Ford a safer place. For 2008 results, see Workplace Safety data.

In early 2007, we adopted health and safety standards for service contractors, similar to the standards we have in place for our construction contractors. The service contractor standards are directed at ensuring the health and safety of contracted employees while they are onsite, and ensuring that those individuals do not operate in a manner that endangers the health or safety of our direct employees.

We analyze our serious injury events and deploy specific actions to prevent recurrence. For example, our safety professionals provide management with measurable feedback on a regular basis via a new Safe Behavior Index that we launched in North America in 2008. The Index, which was already in place in our South American and Asia Pacific operations, measures observations of people not working safely and allows us to take corrective actions when required. We are also improving our analyses throughout all manufacturing facilities for nonstandard production and maintenance jobs, such as repairs in unplanned locations, as well as infrequent or unexpected maintenance tasks. Outside of our manufacturing facilities, Ford has developed safe driving processes for employees driving on Company business.

In the first quarter of 2009, we held a 90-day challenge to focus on reducing slip-and-fall injuries. We are also reviewing the snow and ice removal procedures for our facilities with an eye toward developing new standards, since many of the slip-and-fall injuries occur as employees enter or exit our buildings.