Bridgestone reports improved safety performance

Tokyo - Bridgestone Group achieved a 20% reduction in the number of 'serious injuries and fatalities' across the global group in 2018, its latest ‘sustainability’ report shows

In 2018, Bridgestone reported no fatalities and 23 serious injuries among employees at 4,610 production and logistics sites, and retail shops.

This compared with 28 serious injuries and one fatality reported across the entire group in 2017, according to the report published 26 June.

The accident frequency rate – (number of lost-time injuries/total working hours) x 1,000,000 – however edged up to 0.25, compared to 0.22 in 2017.

More positive was the trend in the accident severity rate – (total number of working days lost/total number of working hours) x 1,000. This metric fell to 0.0087 in 2018 from the prior-year level of 0.0118.

Bridgestone, however, reported one contractor fatality across its global operations last year.

"The group fully participated in the investigation with local authorities and continues to work toward its goal of perfect safety," said Bridgestone.

In Japan, Bridgestone’s frequency and severity rates of work-related, lost-time injuries remained below national manufacturing industry and rubber product manufacturing levels.