Background of the Study

Yokohama Tire Philippines, Incorporated (YTPI) is the first tire manufacturing

facility in Asia outside Japan. It was established by the joint efforts of The Yokohama Rubber
Company, Ltd. and JFE Shoji Trade Corporation or formerly named as Kawasho Corporation.
The corporate headquarter of YTPI is located in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in the 30th of
April in the year 1996. Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. began business operations in the
Philippines in January, 1998 at its production facility in Clark Special Economic Zone.
The company aims to produce Yokohama brand passenger car radial and recreational
vehicle tires for the global market. YTPI will carry on the Yokohama tradition of stressing
reliability and quality, and the new company will make full use of the splendid operating
environment in which is located. This will include setting up a distribution system that will
ensure a quick and smooth response to the needs of the users in neighboring countries.
YTPI uses Japanese technology but is known for Filipino craftsmanship which help
the company uphold to its slogan Tires You Can Trust by ensuring the highest quality of the
tires it manufactures with guaranteed high reliability and performance.
For 80 years, Quality is Everything has always been the guiding principle of the
Yokohama Rubber Company. Now that manufacturing has started in the country, Yokohama
Tire Philippines, Inc. has kept the principle in mind with every step of the production process
and product development. It carries on the Yokohama Brand which is of the highest
standard of tires in the world.Yokohama is committed to its well-known quality and safety
policy.

After one year of operations, Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. obtained ISO 9002
which titled as Model for Quality Assurance in Production, Installation and Servicing. In the
year 2000, YTPI acquired an ISO 14001 Certification which specifies requirements for an
environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a
policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to
which the organization subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects.
YTPI has obtained four certifications OSHAS 18001 for Occupational Health &
Safety Standards, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management System, and ISO 9002 and
ISO/TS 16949 for Quality Management Systems, all of which are certified by TUV Nord.
Currently, YTPI has a total lot area of 44.7 hectares, 16.5 ha for east plant and 28.2 ha
for west plant, with a total manpower of 3 000. The company uses almost 5000 tons of
rubber. Their goal is to make 25,000 tires per day. They export 96% of the tires they produce
and only 4% are for domestic use/purposes. YTPI also serves as the training ground outside
Japan. Employees/workers of Yokohama from other countries are being sent here to know,
understand and master what they will be doing to their respective works.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to identify the policies inside the YTPI that is concerned with the
safety and well-being of the employees.This also aims to know how they implement such
policies and if the employees really follow them. Also included in this study is how does the
company handle and how much prepared are they for such emergencies or incidents that
may happen inside their plant and to their employees. This also includes on how they keep
their employees aware and educated about the safety management policies inside the
company.
This study ought to know if the company provides the appropriate personal protective
equipments for their employees especially to the ones who are exposed in the mixing area
and those who are using such machines or technologies.

Analysis and Evaluation

About the companys policies.

YTPI being one of the largest manufacturing companies in the Philippines already has
its implementations and proper management for the safety and health of its employees.
Yokohama believes in preserving human life, that the employees are the most important
assets. Their mission as posted inside the company is to accomplish the Proactive Risks
Assessment and Health Safety Management System.
YTPI highly focused on the condition of the workers by giving them preventive
measures against work related injuries and ill health through continuous improvement. In line
with this, health and safety awareness programs are conducted to ensure that the people
inside understand and follow the set of provisions that were given to them. This is to
contribute on the safety and welfare of both company and employees.They also acknowledge
the government directives, health and safety regulations, and legal requirements that need
serious compliance and commitment. They also conduct different assessments to further
improve the system and to pin point things that can contribute in putting the employees lives
in jeopardy. And last is to work with local government agencies by improving communication
to the community for the preservation of human life.

Activities and Seminars.

YTPI conducts Safety audit, Quality audit, TPS audit done by the President and Top
Management every month. Other activities done monthly are Jissenken (Practical
Improvement) activities and TPM Audit or Presentation. Safety Patrols and 5S Audits are
done by managers and other assigned personnels every week.
We also found out that YTPI conducts drills and exercises and trainings for them to
know and to be prepared on what they will do for whatever emergencies/incidents that may
happen. They have basic life support and first aid training lecture by the Philippine Red
Cross, evacuation and response drill ,bomb identification and threat management training,
earthquake drills, and they participate in the Fire Brigade Competition. They also have rescue
drills for both fire and earthquakes.
Their drills are quite impressive for they are unannounced and may happen at any
time of the day. They have drills for both day and night. They are done regularly to make it
accustom so as to react instantly and correctly and to avoid misunderstanding on roles and
for better coordination.
Their drills are complete consisting of different phases, the first being the planning
and preparation stage. Phase 2 is athe sounding and paging of alarm. Phase 3 is the response
and evacuation. Phase 4 is the assembly and head counting. And the last phase is the
evaluation phase for the improvement of the drills.
They also have fire alarm and detection systems and complete emergency equipments
which are being inspected and checked on a regular basis to ensure their availability and
functionality especially during emergency.

Work Incident Report.

According to the report, for the past two years the common cause of accidents and
injuries is human error. The type of work that is prone to danger is the troubleshooting and
changeover. The common type of accident is pinching/caughting in between of head and
hands.
Necessary response and actions were made in order to prevent accidents from
occurring. In 2015, there is only one case of accident reported . A vehicle accident which
happened outside the company.

Observations during the visit.

During the visit at the company, what we noticed first are the signage outside the
gates. The displays were about the safety policies that are conducted and implemented inside
the company. Once we reached the inside, we saw the Incident Monitoring Board. We were
amazed by the number of days have passed since an occurrence of injury happened. It was
almost like 10 months time. This means that the Safety and Health Policy of YTPI is
implemented and effective.
The company is also complete in signboards, posters and necessary information. They
even have a jingle about environment and safety that is played every 12nn. The jingle was
composed by their own employees.

Observations during the plant tour.

Before having our plant tour, they made sure were wearing protective equipments,
specifically hard hats and refelective safety vests, to keep us in safety while walking inside.
They also gave guidelines such as walk inside the blue lines, do not touch and go near
machines, keep hands on sides at all times to make sure that we wont be in harm.
On our way to the plant, there are posters along the corridors about safety that help
the workers be reminded of keeping away from danger that can cause accident and injury.
Inside, we notice that some employees are not following rules about wearing their
PPEs. This might harm them and can risk their life. Everyone inside the part of the plant that
we have seen are only wearing caps and gloves. Without hard hats they exposed themselves
in having their heads getting hit. Some of them are not wearing proper uniform too. Not all of
the machines have guards in them. Some workers can be exposed to pinch points.
Our major concern during our visit is the foul smell from the burned rubber and some
chemicals. We noticed that not even one of the employees are wearing any respirators or just
face masks. It seemed like the smell wasnt in their priorities at all since we were not issued
any face masks too knowing that the major thing noticeable inside the plant is the smell.
Even though the smell is not hazardous, according to them, the smell is still very displeasing
to the body and is causing major discomfort. We cant last long inside if we didnt cover our
noses. Working there without wearing a protection on respiration for a long time is not good.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Visiting Yokohama Tire Philippines, Incorporated is such an opportunity for us

students. We further understood the Safety and Health through observing this company.
This experience lead us to this conclusion about the company. The rules and policies
of YTPI are reviewed and processed well but the implementation of this is what is lacking.
We can really blame the company since this policy is for both parties. Some employees are
just too disobedient to follow regulations. They will continue doing bad habits until they
experience an unfortunate event. The solution for this is that the company should have a
better reward or incentive system that will encourage the employees who participate to
continue to strive and discourage those who violate the policies inside. This might lead to a
lesser accident cases in the company.
Respiratory health is also an issue since the workers arent wearing any masks. The
negligence of having a protection could result to an adverse health effect that will eventually
affect the body. The company should conduct a medical assessment of the workers
particularly the ones inside the mixing area of the company. This should be done to ensure
that the employees are really safe working around the area. Wearing of face masks all the
time should be implemented and be strictly followed.
Employers and the employees should work hand in hand with the rules and
regulations. If the employer made a policy inside the company, the duty of the employees is
to comply with the said policy. If the employer saw that his or her employees are unsafe or
prone to any work or health related injury, he or she must take an action on how to prevent
any damage to happen by reviewing and revising a set of regulations inside the company.

Documentation

Incident Monitoring Board as of October

01, 2015

YTPIs Health and Safety Policy

The group with Mr. Marvin Lagmay (right) and Mr.

Reynante Legion (left)

Safety reminders inside the workplace:

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References

Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines, Inc.

Retrieved from <http://www.yokohamatire.ph/about-us/>
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Retrieved from <http://www.yrc.co.jp/english/profile/history.html>
Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc.
Retrieved from <http://www.ytpi.com/Corporate.htm>

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