How quality control circles enhance work safety: a case study Salaheldin I. Salaheldin and Mohamed Zain Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business and Economics, University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how quality control circles (QCCs) enhance work safety in a manufacturing firm in a developing country environment of the Middle East. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is an exploratory investigation into the role of QCCs in enhancing work safety based on a case study method. This includes: a comprehensive scrutiny of the relevant literature; and an analysis of a case study of QCCs implementation for enhancing work safety in Direct Reduction Furnace Zone at Qasco, a steel mill in the State of Qatar. Findings – At the outset, the QCC team identified three specific targets for them to achieve in order to ensure a safe work environment for its workers. After having identified the causes of the problems, the team members were able to analyze the problems, generate alternative solutions, and eventually implement the best solutions. Consequently, the members were able to achieve all their targets. Research limitations/implications – There is a need to empirically test and refine the critical factors affecting the successful implementation of QCCs and to explore the most important barriers that might impede the success of their implementation. Practical implications – The findings of this study can be considered as a roadmap for successful implementation of QCCs in all the subsidiaries of Industries Qatar, the parent company of Qasco, and perhaps in all other organizations in the different sectors and industries but with a similar working environment to that of Qasco. Originality/value – Generally, the results of this research should enhance the current practices of QCCs implementation, which mostly follow narrowly-focused approaches. In essence, the results of this research will help management in making crucial decisions and in resource allocations that are required to make the QCCs implementation a success. Keywords Performance measures, Quality control, Quality circles, Safety, Qatar Paper type Case study Introduction Quality control circles (QCCs) were defined by Ishikawa (1985) as “small group of workers, from the same work place, who meet together on a regular, voluntary basis to perform quality control activities and engage in self and mutual development”. A QCC is a team of up to 12 people who usually work together and who meet voluntarily on a regular basis “to identify, investigate, analyze and solve their work-related problems” (Department of Trade and Industry (UK), 1992, in Millson and Kirk-Smith, 1996). These people are trained to structure problem identification, evaluation, solution and presentation stages and to use associated techniques such as Ishikawa’s seven tools – The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0954-478X.htm The authors would like to thank the Qasco’s QCC members at the Direct Reduction Plant, particularly Eng. Ahmed Sabt (Manager of the Engineering Department), Eng. Adil Al-husseini (Manager of the Technical Department), and Eng. Wakeel Ahmed, also from the Technical Department, for their valuable support in order for them to complete with this research paper. Quality control circles 229 The TQM Magazine Vol. 19 No. 3, 2007 pp. 229-244 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0954-478X DOI 10.1108/09544780710745658