Original Date: 03/06/2006
Revision Date: / /

Raytheon-Louisville has established and implemented an Environmental Health and Safety Program to ensure the company is a world-class facility. This program empowers both the employees and the management chain to share the responsibility for a safe working environment that complies with federal, state, and local regulations.

After Raytheon-Louisville was privatized in 1997, the company wanted to be a leader in environmental health and safety (EH&S). Being proactive in EH&S would lead the company toward becoming a world-class facility and an employer of choice. Raytheon-Louisville further sought to protect the customer, its employees, and the environment while being compliant with federal, state, and local regulations. The employee injury rate initially exceeded the world-class standard of 1.0 or less injuries per 100 employees.

To promote a true culture change, Raytheon-Louisville began proactively managing the EHS Program, fostering a culture of promoting safety in the workplace by accomplishing Raytheon Six Sigma™ (R6σ) . The company began by instilling the concept that every employee is responsible for safety, from the employee to senior management. All employees now receive regular safety training, with new employees receiving training prior to their start date. All employees also participate in monthly safety stand-downs to promote safety awareness. Initiatives include the EHS On-the-Spot Award and the employee-initiated Rewards and Recognition Program.

EHS is addressed not only in the workplace but outside the workplace. Raytheon-Louisville employees began participating in environmental projects such as the Green Mile Cleanup and the EHS Kids’ Poster contest. Community involvement has instilled environmental health and safety into all aspects of employees’ lives. It has also led the way for a true culture change from one with a lack of emphasis on environmental health and safety issues to one of constant awareness. Raytheon-Louisville continually looks for and demonstrates innovative ways to improve this important program.

In addition to environmental and safety issues, Raytheon-Louisville has addressed employee health concerns in several ways. The company recently held an employee health fair that offered screening for osteoporosis, diabetes, and other health-related issues. The facility has also started a smoking cessation program and a Weight Watchers’ program.

The implementation of the EHS Program has reaped numerous benefits. The OSHA-recordable injury rate (employee injury rate) is now 0.54, which is well within the world-class facility range. In addition, the worker’s compensation cost per employee dropped from $222.26 in 2003 to $10.80 in 2005. The Louisville facility has also realized cost savings due to the implementation of recycling programs. By implementing this program, Raytheon- Louisville has won numerous EHS awards not only from its parent company but from outside sources that include the Kentucky Governor’s Safety Award.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.