Factory Warrior: Episode 4 "Scorching Safety Training"
Safety Training
Toshio, who had been assigned to the Manufacturing Improvement Department, was to receive safety training from a senior employee, Ichiro Onoda. Onoda was a veteran employee who had worked his way up to section manager at the thick plate factory's refining line before transferring to the Manufacturing Improvement Department.
On a scorching hot day in early summer, Toshio met Onoda at the safety training facility within the steelworks. The facility was equipped with various safety gear and demonstration equipment, but the combination of the outside temperature and the heat inside the factory made it feel like a sauna.
"Sato, I'll be in charge of your safety training today. Make sure you learn it well before you leave." Onoda said with a stern expression.
"Yes, sir. I look forward to it." Toshio replied nervously.
Onoda turned to the whiteboard and took out a marker. "First, I want you to learn the safety slogan: 'Muttsuri, Ukkai, Sukkaiko.' It's been shortened to make it easier to remember, but each part has an important meaning."
Wiping away sweat, Onoda began to explain them one by one.
Mu: Do not operate if you are unlicensed. If an unlicensed person operates heavy machinery, it can lead to a major accident.
Tsuri: Do not enter under suspended loads. If a suspended load falls, it could cost you your life.
U: Mutual confirmation with moving heavy machinery. Do not approach heavy machinery like forklifts carelessly.
Kai: Do not put your hands near rotating parts. There is a danger of being pulled in if you touch rotating parts.
Su: Turn off the switch and hang a safety tag. Before entering any equipment, always turn off the switch and hang a safety tag.
Kaiko: Use a safety belt at openings. Always wear a safety belt when working at heights.
Toshio was listening while frantically taking notes, but he was overwhelmed by the early summer heat and the sheer volume of information.
"Alright, so did you memorize them?" Onoda asked.
"Um... Mu, do not operate if unlicensed. Tsuri... um..." Toshio stumbled over his words.
"What, you didn't memorize them? Can't you even keep this much in your head?" Onoda shouted.
"I'm sorry..." Toshio hung his head.
"And you're a college graduate? You were hired for a career-track position, right? Do you really think you can handle the field with that attitude?" Onoda's voice rang out even more sternly.
Onoda let out a deep sigh and said in a slightly calmer voice, "Back at the thick plate factory where I used to work, there was a guy who fell from a height and died. He wasn't wearing his safety belt. That was the reason he lost his life."
Toshio felt both surprise and the weight of those words.
"Our work is side-by-side with the danger of death. That is precisely why we must protect ourselves," Onoda continued.
"Yes, Onoda-san. I will take that to heart," Toshio replied with a serious gaze.
After that, the two used the demonstration equipment in the facility to perform safety checks in an actual work environment. Under Onoda's strict guidance, Toshio learned each procedure thoroughly and raised his awareness of safety.
Events in the Sauna
After finishing the safety training, Toshio decided to have dinner with his peers. As they gathered around the table, they had a lively conversation about work and their private lives.
"Sato, how was the safety training today?" Oiso asked.
"It was tough, but it was useful," Toshio replied with a smile.
After dinner, a peer who had already bought a car suggested, "Shall we go to a super public bath?" Toshio, having liked saunas since his student days, happily joined in.
They arrived at the super public bath, and first, everyone went into the open-air bath. Toshio told his peers, "I'm going to the sauna for a bit," and headed toward it.
When he opened the sauna door, a man was sitting inside. It was Department Manager Suemune.
"Department Manager Suemune, hello," Toshio greeted him.
"Oh, is that you, Toshio? Come on in," Department Manager Suemune said, sitting on the top tier and inviting Sato over.
The sauna was divided into three tiers, and the top tier was extremely hot. The thermometer showed 95 degrees, and although Toshio felt dizzy, he decided to sit next to Department Manager Suemune.
About 10 minutes passed, and Toshio was looking for a chance to get out, but Department Manager Suemune showed no signs of leaving.
"Sato, what do you think is the challenge for our steelworks?" Department Manager Suemune asked suddenly.
After thinking for a moment, Toshio replied, "Until now, we only had to think about how to increase production, but from now on, I think it's about how we can build a system that ensures profit when we have to reduce production."
Department Manager Suemune smiled and said, "I see, that's a good idea," before leaving the sauna.
Toshio also left the sauna shortly after and jumped into the cold water bath. The cold water enveloped his body, and he let out a sigh of relief.
After getting out of the cold water bath, Toshio returned to the open-air bath and rejoined his peers.
"Where have you been?" Oiso asked.
"I went to the sauna, and I was talking to Department Manager Suemune there." When Toshio replied, everyone looked surprised.
"With Department Manager Suemune? You're lucky. Department Manager Suemune was dispatched from the old Y and is expected to be a future executive candidate. If he likes you, good things will happen." His peers were impressed, but they couldn't hide their surprise at that encounter.
"Being liked is important, but it's even more necessary to prove my own ability." Toshio thought to himself as if to remind himself. Being able to answer Department Manager Suemune's questions immediately led to confidence, but he vowed not to neglect his daily efforts so that it wouldn't end as a temporary thing.