Qatar Steel Company improves safety for staff: Quality‐control circles also save costs

Abstract

Purpose

Explores how quality‐control circles (QCCs) enhance work safety in a manufacturing firm in a developing‐country environment of the Middle East.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigates the role of QCCs in enhancing work safety, based on a case study of the direct‐reduction furnace at Qatar Steel Company (Qasco), a wholly‐owned subsidiary of Industries Qatar and the first integrated steel plant in the Arabian Gulf.

Findings

Reveals that, after identifying three causes of problems, the QCC team analyzed the difficulties and was eventually able to implement solutions and achieve all targets.

Practical implications

Reports the role of QCCs in improving work safety in manufacturing companies, and can be used as a template for other firms of this kind.

Originality/value

Highlights a success story in the use of QCCs in a country of the Gulf Co‐operation Council.

Citation

(2007), "Qatar Steel Company improves safety for staff: Quality‐control circles also save costs", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 37-39. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730710820226