DSC’s First Responders exemplify the importance of proactive safety practices

Nothing is more important than safety – this belief is at the core of DSC’s safety philosophy and culture. DSC, a CJ Logistics Company, upholds a culture of safety accountability, where accident prevention is everyone’s job. Part of DSC’s safety commitment is its “First Responders” program, which trains and prepares employees who are enlisted on a volunteer basis to proactively respond in the event of a safety incident. The First Responders at all of the DSC logistics centers receive training and certification in first aid, CPR and AED use.

Recently, when an employee in one of DSC’s logistics centers was having difficulty breathing, the facility’s trained First Responders team went into action, calling 911, applying the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) available in every DSC location, and delivering cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until paramedics arrived. Communicating clearly in the situation and acting promptly and calmly, the team did what they were trained to do.

Terrell Sutton, DSC Regional Safety Manager, praised the team’s quick, trained response. “It takes a lot of courage to step in and get involved in saving someone’s life,” he said. “You could tell they were using the training they’d received.”

What followed the incident is also part of the company’s safety program. As required, a Safety Event Communication went out across the network of logistics centers. The information in the email – the location, date and time of the incident, a description of the event, and the immediate corrective action(s) taken – was communicated to all employees within 24 hours of the incident.

DSC considers communication of information on all accidents or incidents an essential safety program component to help prevent future occurrences and to reinforce the correct procedures followed.

Also important in DSC’s safety program are the Safety Committees that meet once a month at every location. The members of the Safety Committees are employees with a variety of job responsibilities from each shift who have volunteered or been identified by Team Leaders as accountable and passionate about safety. During the Safety Committee meetings, members discuss safety concerns and ways to improve the safety cultures in the logistics centers. All employees are encouraged to contribute to safety improvement suggestions and initiatives.

Joe Smiesko, Director, Safety, Security and Compliance, also emphasizes the ongoing continual improvement of the company’s safety program. “The commitment of DSC and CJ Logistics to the safety protection of all employees drives us to continue to make our safety program best in class,” he said.

About DSC, a CJ Logistics Company
Ready to lead in the global marketplace, DSC joined with CJ Logistics to deliver customer value in new and expanded ways. Together, we are advancing dynamic supply chain leadership and accelerating integrated global supply chain innovation.

The [logistics center] team has always gone above & beyond in ensuring our ability to service our customers comes first. The team has always far exceeded the expectations of partnership between our companies.