Date posted: 11/25/2008*

Raytheon received the Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) 2008 Worker Safety Excellence Award for their outstanding safety program at Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS). AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey presented the award at a recent board of governors meeting.

Raytheon stood out among AIA member and industry competitor companies for achieving the lowest employee injury rates in the Missiles and Space award category.  RMS’ OSHA recordable rate for 2007 was 0.9 injuries per 100 employees; its lost time injury rate was 0.29.

Companies were also evaluated based on management leadership and employee involvement; hazard identification, analysis and control; safety and health training and communications; and safety and health best practice sharing.

“RMS works hard each and every day to ensure safe work conditions,” said Taylor Lawrence, RMS president. “This award recognizes us for these outstanding efforts. However, we can and will do better. I have recently asked all leaders to talk with their teams about the importance of workplace safety. I have directed them to ask their employees for suggestions on what can be done in specific work areas. And, most importantly, I have requested my leaders to take the appropriate actions to correct any unsafe conditions.”

Safety Starts at the Top

Management involvement in safety is a critical component of Raytheon’s safety programs. Leaders clearly and visibly communicate the importance of safety, and lead by example. Management is also actively involved in the safety program by participating in various safety committees, discussing safety issues at their staff meetings, and conducting periodic safety walkabouts, a behavior-based safety audit. RMS conducted nearly 16,000 leader-employee Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) engagements in 2007.

Injury rates and other safety performance metrics are reviewed monthly by each site executive and business president. They are reviewed quarterly by Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson and the company’s Board of Directors.

In addition to Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and ITT were also recognized at the AIA board of governors meeting for their safety practices. According to Blakey, all three companies are excellent examples of the premium that the aerospace industry places on safety. “All of you should be very proud of your accomplishments. Our entire industry should be proud of a truly enviable track record on worker safety.”

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