Avoiding workplace accidents

Aside from plant safety, the knowledge and safety awareness of employees is crucial. Wearing the prescribed protective clothing and equipment is just as important as training and audits that familiarize our employees with potential sources of danger and how to deal with them. Merck truck drivers, for example, complete a driving safety course to teach them what to do in an emergency situation.

Accidents typical for the chemical industry are rare at Merck, however. In fact, trips and falls are the most frequent type of accident. The incident rate in one production plant fell by more than 50 percent as part of a project. The principle was simple: employees notified the safety officers of near-accidents and critical situations. These were evaluated and appropriate measures were taken. Merck would like to make its employees sensitive to and more aware of potential risks and how to deal with them, and, where possible, to eliminate these risks.