Occupational Health And Safety
Issue:
Occupational Health and Safety is an important consideration in the production of semiconductor components. For both wholly owned facilities and foundries, it is important for customers to know that parts they purchase are produced in safe, healthful environments.
Importance:
The SIA offers a unique forum for dealing with health and safety issues that may impact manufacture or sale of semiconductors domestically and internationally. SIA's Occupational Health Committee, comprised of senior technical and management representatives of the SIA member companies, is charged with reviewing domestic and international health and safety issues. Based on its assessment, sub-teams are established to bring focused, central response to identified issues. This allows issues to be addressed by SIA as an organization and avoids the need for companies to address issues individually. This process is an effective way to deal with common issues both from the standpoint of cost effectiveness and identification of consistent, consensus approaches.
SIA Position/Action:
Key initiatives underway include the following:
- Manage industry-wide injury/illness database
This database, which is administered by the SIA consultant who developed the program (Occupational Health System, OHS), is used to characterize illness/injury data and related details. Since its inception, this system has demonstrated that the data for SIA participants are substantially better than those for all manufacturers, and also better than data for all semiconductor workers (including non-OHS companies). The most recent data, 2004, for all semiconductor workers identify a rate of reportable injuries/illnesses of 1.8/100 workers. The comparable number for SIA participants was 0.93/100 workers. The number for all manufacturers in 2004 was 6.6/100 workers.
- Fund and administer industry-wide worker health studies
