Cargill Grain Facility Achieves Worker Safety Milestone

"This is quite an accomplishment and represents that our engaged workforce sees safety as a key part of our success," said John Culmer, general manager, Houston, Cargill Grain and Oilseed Supply Chain North America.

15 Mar 2010 --- Cargill's grain export facility here has eclipsed the milestone of 20 years with no lost time accidents.

"This is quite an accomplishment and represents that our engaged workforce sees safety as a key part of our success," said John Culmer, general manager, Houston, Cargill Grain and Oilseed Supply Chain North America. "Maintaining a culture of watching out for each other's safety and well being magnifies the significance of this accomplishment."

A lost time accident is an incident which leads to one or more days off work. The Houston facility receives grain from truck and rail then stores the product until it is re-loaded onto vessels bound for various customers throughout the world. The facility is located at the Port of Houston-Jacintoport. Cargill constructed the facility which began operations in 1969 and has about 50 people on its team.

The facility has a safety committee that coordinates programs related to safe work behaviors, job planning and safety reporting.

"Cargill's team of employees in Houston work hard at safety," said David Holst, control room operator. "We watch out for each other and look at how our team members are doing their jobs. Looking at a task from someone else's point of view can show you something you didn't see."

The Houston team makes use of the Behavioral Based Safety program, which focuses on changing the behavior of employees to enhance safety. "The leadership team prioritizes the safety of our employees over any other of our activities, and I am proud of everyone's effort," said Jim McCarthy, facility superintendent.