Functions work together to deliver results
Corning’s Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) functions play a vital role in the success of the company, and the three groups working together has proven to deliver the best results.
“These functions touch some of the most important parts of the company – environmental protection and compliance, the health of our employees, and the safety of all who enter Corning’s doors,” said Tom Capek, vice president and chief engineer, Manufacturing Technology and Engineering (MT&E). “The constant collaboration between all three groups demonstrates an unparalleled level of dedication from our EHS professionals.”
To further collaborate and foster teamwork among employees from the three areas, Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) hosted three regional conferences in the past few months – in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The three-to five-day regional conferences generally occur every year, with a combined global conference every three years.
“We’re all expected to be leaders in a large company,” said Tony Salvadore, director, Corporate Safety, to attendees of the Americas conference in Corning, New York. “It’s important to understand where we fit into the business, and learn what helps others succeed.”
The conferences allow EHS professionals to collaborate, network, and learn best practices from one another. They also provide a forum to strategize and discuss Corning’s path toward EHS excellence as the company strives toward low environmental, health, and safety incidents.
According to John Novotny, director, Corporate Environmental, the seminars and training provided at the conference are imperative as Corning continues to expand and acquire new sites.
“It’s very important for employees coming into Corning, whether new hires or through acquisitions, to understand our standards and procedures when it comes to EHS issues,” he said. “This helps keep everyone safe, healthy, and compliant.”
This year’s conferences included a review of operating standards, enterprise health, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, auditing, plant safety improvements, and sustainability. There were also several presentations regarding plant improvements and best practices, Human Organizational Performance (HOP) training, and a briefing by the Law Department.
The Safety Steering Committee held a panel discussion, focusing on what drives EHS performance, and what it means to be safe at Corning.
The conference also served as an introduction to Corning EHS for Dr. Michael D. Lappi, who was recently appointed Corning’s chief medical executive. Michael will take over for Dr. James L. Schuppert, who will retire early next year after 26 years with Corning.
“Thank you to all of you for 26 wonderful years,” said Dr. Schuppert during the closing remarks at the conference in Corning. “At the end of the day, it’s really all of you making this work. You can have good programs, but it’s all of you in the field making them come alive.”
