Jamshedpur, Oct. 20: Tata Steel today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DuPont Safety Resources to ensure safety for its employers.

The largest integrated steel plant in the private sector believes that all causes of accident are man-made and can solved. Tata Steel deputy managing director (Steel) T. Mukherjee rolled out the ?Safety Excellence Journey? with Du Pont at a function in Steelenium Hall.

President of DuPont Safety Resources, Asia Pacific, Roger Moore and president of Tata Workers? Union R.B.B. Singh were present.

Addressing a press conference after signing the MoU, Mukherjee said, ?The signing of MoU with DuPont is a step towards Tata Steel?s firm conviction that all causes of accidents are man-made and can be solved by men. We are committed to the zero-accident policy as the year 2004 has been declared a year of safety.?

Mukherjee said although the steel major is rated as one of the best plants world-wide, yet it is far behind when it comes to world safety standards.

The deputy managing director did not disclose the accident rate in the company.

?Tata Steel is aiming to achieve the world standard in safety. We want to be on a par with the safety standards of the Australia-based steel manufacturing company, Bluescope,? Mukherjee said.

?The beginning has been made in that direction by appointing DuPont as our safety consultant,? he said.

He said the programme is aimed to make workers and officers aware that reduction in injuries and associated cost savings help save human life and increase quality production.

?Through our safety programme, we will imbibe 24-hour safety in and around us be at home, in town and on the streets,? added Mukherjee.

Roger Moore said DuPont experts would work to create awareness that 96 per cent of the accidents are caused by human error.

?It is important for a worker learns the 24-hour safety policy at homes, in town and on streets,? said the president of DuPont Safety Resources.

Du Pont has evaluated the existing Safety Management System at Tata Steel against the criteria of World Class Safety Performance and identified the areas of opportunities. The plans would soon be formulated in tune with requirements.