In 2004 we continued with our Take Time, Take Charge program. The theme for 2004 was on working together as a team, whilst remembering the importance of working safely for ourselves and our families. Focus topics were aimed at workplace tasks, including working at heights, manual handling and working with electricity. We also covered the management of fatigue and the Permit -To -Work process.

51 of our experiential sessions, The Difference, were conducted in 2004 with a total of 734 attendees. Sessions were held at all sites including Perth and Melbourne offices.

In recognition of the impact that a workplace death has on families, friends and colleagues, WMC produced a video called ‘It Lasts a Lifetime’. The video is dedicated to the memory of John Bell and Steven Haywood who died at the Kwinana Nickel Refinery in 1978. The Kwinana Nickel Refinery presented 22 sessions of ‘It Lasts A Lifetime’ with 271 people in attendance.

We also planned to review our behavioural programs by conducting a workshop of representatives from across our company in late 2003 so that any new programs could be initiated during 2004. The workshop was not held until March 2004, and was attended by all operational General Managers.

The outcome of the workshop was agreement to focus company-wide efforts at four programs which were chosen because of our belief that they would have the greatest impact on workplace behaviours and culture. The programs were:

• Safety Leadership Training for Supervisors
• Task Hazard Analysis
• Shift Handover processes
• Safety Contacts and Positive Performance Indicators

Substantial progress was made in defining the scope and progressing the development of tools and training materials for the first three of these programs during 2004.

The General Managers' forum which initiated these programs has subsequently continued to meet quarterly and has taken on the function of being the WMC ‘Safety Lead Team’. Its main purpose is to provide direction to our ongoing safety and health management processes within the company. The membership of the team ensures a strong sense of ownership and commitment to support the agreed programs.

• Read about our Our Approach to Safety Behaviour and Culture programs.