A New Approach to Linear Walkthroughs

Now more productive and without the red tape: how linear walkthroughs have changed at EVRAZ

The transformation of the HSE management system in some workshops is already halfway through. Almost all employees have felt the changes. Shift supervisors now use new working methods constantly. We decided to see for ourselves and went on a linear walkthrough with a workshop supervisor.

Workshop Section No. 2. We meet a steel pourer. Today he is working in the bay where ladles are prepared for receiving steel from the converter. There are many moving mechanisms in the section: cranes, steel carriers, transfer cars. Gas is also used to heat the ladles. There is a danger of falling slag-metal crusts. Therefore, special attention is paid to a safe workspace. It is the focus of not only the worker himself but also his supervisor. Today is Monday — according to the schedule, it's a targeted check of safety guarding. This means guards are the center of attention.

As a result of the walkthrough, we identified three malfunctions on the site; the supervisor takes out his phone to record the defects.

Efficiency is Key

Every shift, the supervisor conducts a linear walkthrough. Together with the workers, he assesses the hazards and risks at their workplaces. Previously, supervisors recorded all observations in a paper logbook. They would write down the person responsible for rectification, make a request, call, and coordinate. Now, we record everything in the "Risk Hunting" app. We assign the responsible person right there. They receive an email notification about it within minutes.

The results are already impressive. Firstly, there is efficiency — the time to rectify violations is reduced. Secondly, the supervisor's work becomes transparent: all violations and how they are addressed are clearly visible in the system.

Now the supervisor also records risks using a mobile app. On average, the response time for any violation in the workshop is 1.7 days. The ambitious goal is to address a risk within 24 hours.