Frontlines of Safety: St. Priest Implements Comprehensive Improvements to Advance Safety

Michelle MachenOur Stories, International Packaging, Safety

Advancing the safety culture in a facility involves more than implementing policies and upgrading safety infrastructure. While these are important components, a more holistic approach is necessary to embed safety as an integral part of the workplace. Over the past 12 months, the St. Priest, France site has taken a comprehensive approach to improving safety through organizational changes, physical workspace improvements, lean manufacturing initiatives, and prioritizing CAPEX and maintenance projects.
Mauser’s St. Priest, France operations consists of two plants operating on the same site. One reconditioning facility and one manufacturing facility that produces new metal drums and IBC’s.

The most critical element of any safety culture is its people. From leadership to individual contributors, everyone must be committed to safety. Over the past year, the St. Priest location has undergone several leadership changes and has used these transitions as opportunities to improve its safety approach. Combined with the addition of new operators, this has enabled a fresh perspective on operations and the implementation of new ideas related to sustainability, efficiency, and—most importantly—safety.

During this same period, the site launched multiple projects to enhance its safety infrastructure. These include:

  • Modifications to walkways (reconditioning facility)
  • Redesign of parking areas
  • Installation of external barriers to reduce traffic in production zones (manufacturing facility)
  • Remodeling of both large and small decoiling areas (manufacturing facility)
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Modification of walkways in parking areas
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External barriers to reduce traffic in production area

In addition, the manufacturing facility initiated over 50 Kaizen projects in the past year to support its lean manufacturing culture. While not all of these projects are directly related to safety, many improve the functionality of production and storage areas, thereby reducing tripping hazards and optimizing employee movement. Notable projects include:

  • A 30% increase in finished goods storage capacity in January 2024, followed by an additional 10% increase in October 2024
  • Layout flow modifications and rack installations
  • Space optimization on the production floor
  • Ongoing lean activities aimed at reducing MUDA (waste)

Many of these initiatives are still in progress but are prioritized for timely completion.

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Finished goods storage area

The St. Priest manufacturing facility has also launched several CAPEX projects focused on employee well-being, 5S, equipment refurbishments, and SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die). These projects aim to enhance both productivity and safety. Each of these projects contributes—either directly or indirectly—to a safer work environment.

 Examples include:

  • Replacement of a press
  • Refurbishment and repainting of a decoiling machine
  • Installation of LED lighting
  • Remodeling and repainting of walkways and production areas
  • Installation of storage racks for sheet metal
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Repainiting of walkways

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The improvements at the St. Priest plants illustrate how a broad range of initiatives can positively impact employee safety. This site remains committed to continuous improvement, fostering a stronger and more resilient safety culture