Background of the study

Texas Instruments (Philippines), Inc., was built in 1979 and is one of the most
sophisticated assembly-test sites of TI worldwide. Being one of the top exporters
of the country, TIPIers take pride in the continued contributions in making the
Filipinos life better and brighter by augmenting the Philippine revenue through
exports, by providing quality life and jobs to more Filipinos with its two sites in
Baguio and Clark, and by enriching peoples lives through our various employee
and csr activities for the community.
The main production here in Clark is focused on semiconductors and integrated
chips. Other global branches are recognized for their high quality scientific
calculators, analog and precision devices.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded TI's new assembly/test
facility in the Clark Zone, Philippines a Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Gold certification, distinguishing the site as the first of its kind in
the Philippines.
The LEED Gold certification is a validation of TI's commitment to environmental
stewardship and to the health of the communities where it operates," said Bing
Viera, managing director of TI's operations in the Philippines. "The Clark facility
was designed from the ground up to maximize manufacturing capabilities and
minimize environmental impact."
The newly constructed 780,000 square foot facility is located on the former USA
Clark airbase in the Pampanga province of the Philippines on the northern island
of Luzon. TI has had a manufacturing presence in the Philippines for more than 30
years and earned a LEED-NC Silver certification on its Phase V expansion project
in Baguio City last year. The Phase V project was the Philippine's first LEED
certified building.
TI began using USGBC LEED rating systems to guide continuing improvements
for construction and sustainability in the early 2000s when the company
constructed the world's first LEED Gold certified semiconductor manufacturing
facility, RFAB, in Richardson, Texas.

TI Philippines, a subsidiary of Texas Instruments, is the leading producer of

semiconductors and the biggest maker of chips for consumer electronics in the
world. The TI Philippines assembly and test site in Baguio is one of the
companys most sophisticated assembly facilities to date. In May 2003, Former
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced one of the biggest single
investments in the Philippines economic history the expansion of Texas
Instruments in the Clark Freeport Zone.
The new site in Clark will incorporate many of the environmental design features
that were first used by Texas Instruments in the United States at its newest
semiconductor facility. The Clark site is set to produce new and more
sophisticated products for consumers.
Developed by USGBC, LEED provides building owners and operators a concise
framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green
building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. The TI Clark
site was certified under LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) version 2.2.
TI now operates over 2 million square feet of LEED certified manufacturing space
around the world.

Statement of the problem

The case study aims to identify the hazards and evaluate the occupational safety
and health practices the company conducts. Specifically, this study aims to answer
the following question:
1. What are the hazards the company presents?
2. What are their preventive measures against those hazards?
3. What are the programs the company is committed to in ensuring safe workplace?

Potential hazards
Being one of the most productive semiconductor companies, it presents hazards
such as chemical, ergonomic and fire hazards. Nitrogen, Hazardous production
material and Oxidizers are frequently used in the company activities. The top
three chemicals in their etching process are MP1165, mixed solvents and
isopropyl alcohol.
If mishandled, nitrogen could cause respiratory diseases. Nitrogen is safe for
inhalation when it is mixed with an appropriate amount of oxygen. When exposed
longer to nitrogen, the air may become oxygen-deficient. The workers then are
threatened by nitrogen asphyxiation, i.e. when the body becomes oxygendeprived.
When improperly managed, oxidizers can easily give off oxygen and cause other
materials to become fire hazards. It can also irritate skin due to prolonged
exposure.
Hazardous production materials are used in processing wafers. The workers need
materials safety data sheet (MSDS) in order to prevent casualties and further
damages.
When exposed to excessive heat, MP1165 can be a combustion hazard. Mixed
solvents, when inhaled or swallowed, present fatal reactions to the workers body.
Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable in presence of open flames and sparks. It
may also explode with the presence of mechanical impact.
TI specializes bump and assembly processes. Thus, workers have physically
demanding work. Manual material handling, heavy or repetitive lifting, prolonged
standing, highly repetitive and forceful assembly tasks expose workers to injuries
and cardiovascular diseases.
Fire hazard is another serious problem. It is considered a secondary effect from
overload, abnormal operating conditions or fault in some system components
Preventive Measures
Chemical handling is critically observed. TI tightly controls and supervises storage
and chemical deliveries by handling those substances to a central location where

they are closely monitored. There are chemical screening processes to provide
employees the information about the handling procedures of a certain substance.
TI has also risk and assessment phase which they can weed out chemicals with
higher potential risks and select less hazardous substitutes.
To prevent leaks, the company uses multiple detection systems. In ensuring
integrity, the system is monitored in several ways. Sensors are installed to monitor
the chemical and gas distribution systems. Even the slightest amount cannot
escape from the eyes of the sensors ensuring gas leak-free company. In preventing
fire casualties, all equipment is regularly checked to ensure efficiency and early
warning in case of fire.
Employees are seen important liabilities of the company. To ensure their health and
wellness, Occupational Health Nurse consultants are deployed to every unit of the
company helping workers prevent injuries and illnesses.
Besides, TI encourages wellness inside and outside of the workplace by providing
employees and their families with resources to manage their personal safety and
health. A few of TI's wellness programs include on-going training and personal
protective equipment for inside of the workplace as well as health assistance for
worldwide travel, cancer screenings, flu shots, safety courses and fitness center
access among many other health and life services for family members as well.

Ensuring safe workplace

The company is always concerned to the productivity of their workers. Thats why
it evaluates employees workspaces and gives training on ergonomics. TI strives
to help their employees and their families live safely. Thereby, it decreases
employees unplanned days away from work and unproductivity. The company
also provides Employee Assistance Program where the employees can address
their family and behavioral health issues.
The management team collaborates with their employees in laying safety
messages and in encouraging them to speak up for potential hazards. Workers are
not disciplined for raising safety concerns. The company provides training to their

employees such as immediate report to potential hazards, emergency procedures

and mitigation of risks by using appropriate tools and techniques. Consequently,
TI can now report corrective actions plan to distribute appropriate alerts and
lessons learned globally.
TI tries to maintain a culture where workers are free from illness and injuries.
Machine safeguarding is properly observed. Interlocks, barriers and physical
guards are well-maintained where machineries present hazards to workers.
Moreover, the company provides engineering controls such as safety interlocks and
ventilation to prevent worker exposure to chemicals. Exhausted gas cabinets are
employed for gases such as silane, nitrogen and ammonia. These cylinders are
changed by designated workers.
TI designs a high efficient filter that conducts proper circulation of air. Since air is
properly circulated within the building, it moves vapors out of the workroom
hence, lessens gas leaks and fire hazards from certain chemical reactions.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is properly maintained. Gloves, disposable

Tyvek coveralls, head covering, bootlets, plastic sleeves, respirators are
mandatory. In sawing and grinding areas, aprons are required.
Good housekeeping is maintained in the entire workplace using 5SSort, Set in
order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
Natural day lighting is used where possible, and efficient lights with sensors and
controls take
care of the balance of the lighting needs.
Low-emitting materials such as paints, adhesives, sealants and carpeting were used
to minimize off-gassing and provide for better indoor air quality.

Aspects and Impacts

Conclusion
As we study along all the concerns of the Texas Instruments Inc. regarding the
Occupational Safety and Health of the companys workers, we therefore conclude
that they are aware of what must be prioritized and that they are ready for any
necessary situations approaching ahead.
The companys workplaces are all under control. They have achieved and
completed all their target projects because of they certainly know how to balance
their way of being productive, and being productive is not just about giving high
standard quality products, but also learning on how to value the workers,
especially their health.
The company is well protected by equipments which are necessary in case of any
accidents. Workers are strongly monitored regarding their health status. Taking

good care of the workers would make them a lot more productive which is why
protection is one of the main priorities of the company.
The company develops lots of methods that will enhance their companys
productivity and standard. They had placed alarm, leaks, fire and other hazard or
caution sensors all around the building especially their workplaces to ensure
safety. The company did not just provide protection and safety equipment to their
workers; they also seem to check regularly its efficiency to assure safety. The
standards of the company are excellent especially on their concern to the workers.

Recommendations
The company must give their employees also the information that they cannot
afford to give, for the workers to be prepared on what will they be provided and
what will not be provided by the company. Regarding the safety of their workers,
for some issues, is the company providing Paternal/Maternal leave for their
workers and how long, and do they consider giving an insurance for instance.
Texas Instruments is a semiconductor company wherein chemical hazards are
present at their workplaces. The company provides their employees the protective
suits they need which is why restriction on the exposure of the workers, especially
at workplace must be regularly monitored due to that given the employees
protective suits, doesnt mean that they are a 100% safe from chemicals and other
hazards.

The company must assure that their wastes must be well disposed in the right place
and right process not just for their workers but for the community affected if
proper waste disposal is not observed.
The company must show their priority not just to their workers but also consider
the safety and health of other companies or people outside that can be affected.
Occupational safety and Health is not just mainly focused on the effect of the
companys workplace to their workers health but also on the effect that the
company contributes outside considering the community.
All in all, the company still is very impressing and pleasing when it comes on how
they prioritize their workers health and protection. Their standards of valuing
their workers are standards that every company must also have. Their ways of
protection are ways that leads their workers to a healthy life.