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December 14, 2021 08:30 AM

Kickstart: Cellphones and safety

Rhoda Miel
Managing Editor
Plastics News Staff
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    National Weather Service
    Cellphones and safety

    We're still learning about how much damage was caused to individuals, communities and companies by a massive storm system that crossed the Southern and Midwestern U.S. late on Dec. 10 and early Dec. 11.

    Plastics companies contacted by Plastics News have reported minor damage to buildings, while power outages hit both materials firms and molders. (If you know of any damage or know of efforts to support people hurt in the storm, feel free to reach out.)

    Anyone who has seen the devastation at sites such as the candle factory in Mayfield, Ky., or an Amazon warehouse near St. Louis know just how intense the storm front and the tornadoes were.

    One item I came across in stories about the storm also points to a long-term question related to factory workers in general: Should employees be able to have cellphones with them on the shop floor for their own safety?

    Our sister paper Crain's Chicago Business has a story via Bloomberg that workers at the damaged Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Ill., are saying that a ban on personal cellphones meant they didn't get all the emergency warnings about the storm's approach. They also had problems contacting family after the storm eased.

    In May 2020, the National Labor Relations Board upheld a company's ability to ban cellphones in plants. In a case involving Cott Beverages Inc., the board backed the company's claim that cellphones were a risk because they could potentially contaminate drinks during the bottling process or be a safety hazard if people aren't paying attention to forklifts and other equipment in the plant.

    So once immediate repairs are done, more discussions may be underway about cellphones on the manufacturing floor.

    Celebrating Rising Stars

    Nominations are now open for Plastics News' Rising Stars class of 2022, one of the most interesting — and humbling — special issues we publish each year.

    Rising Stars is for workers age 35 and younger in the plastics industry. Each year, the accomplishments, outlook and energy expressed by the stars in our profiles is pretty amazing.

    There are patent holders and presidents and professionals leading teams with skills that should be admired by everyone, but also may make you feel like a slacker in comparison.

    Many of those people we profile each year could have been a leader in any profession, but they chose plastics, because they saw it as a way to make a difference.

    As Special Projects Editor Jordan Vitick writes, a Deloitte survey of young professionals noted: "Nearly 50 percent of Gen Z and millennials said they have made choices over the type of work they do and the companies they want to work for based on personal values. These beliefs can affect the way businesses operate."

    Check out Jordan's column for more about Rising Stars and how to nominate someone.

    LyondellBasell
    Vanacaker
    A 'forward-thinking' CEO

    Maybe the incoming CEO at LyondellBasell Industries is a sign of how big sustainable materials will be for the company's future growth.

    With Bob Patel set to step down in 2022, Houston-based LyondellBasell has tapped Peter Vanacker to become its next CEO.

    While Vanacker has a strong resume in chemicals and materials — including stints at film maker Trofan, chemicals firm CABB and what is now Covestro — currently he is president and CEO of Nete, the Finnish company that specializes in renewable energy and recycled materials.

    LBI Chairman Jacques Aigrain noted Vanaker's "forward-thinking mindset" and an ability to "advance our climate and circularity goals," in announcing the hiring.

    Frank Esposito has more here.

     

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