|
April 8, 2011 - Northern Coatings and Chemical Company, Inc., received the CET Platinum Award today from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for an outstanding safety and health record. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).
The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division recognizes the safety and health achievements of Michigan employers and employees through CET Awards, which are based on excellent safety and health performance. The CET Platinum Award recognizes an outstanding safety record of five or more years worked without days away from work.
Northern Coatings has gone more than nine years without a lost-time accident.
CET Division Acting Director Nella Davis-Ray presented the award to Dan Jones, Plant Manager; Chad Christensen, Production Coordinator; Doyle Yoder, Safety Committee Chairman, and Larry Melgary, President. Invited guests, management personnel and employees attended the presentation and luncheon.
"It is a distinct honor to recognize the employees and management of Northern Coatings with the Platinum Award for their exemplary safety and health diligence," said Davis-Ray. "Your record of nine years without a lost time accident is an astounding success. Your commitment is proof that focusing on safety up front is a sound business decision."
On February 10, 2006, Northern Coatings became the first facility in the Upper Peninsula to receive the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award for workplace safety and health excellence. The company received renewal of its SHARP Award on March 10, 2007, and on March 16, 2010.
"Northern Coatings and Chemical Company is honored to receive the Platinum Award. With MIOSHA's assistance we have continued to improve our health and safety record," said Jones. "This award recognizes the dedication and hard work of everyone in our plant. As a company, we have a strong commitment to the health and safety of all our employees."
"We are very proud of being the first recipient in the Upper Peninsula of the SHARP Award in 2006, and subsequent renewals, and now to receive the Platinum Award. This is based on the strength of our safety team and our employees' energetic commitment to working safely every day," Melgary added. "A key element of our corporate mission is the creation of a safe, healthy and productive work environment, which has been fostered by the close partnership with MIOSHA."
Besides going more than nine years without a lost-time accident, the company has completed the following criteria to receive the Platinum Award:
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system;
- Established a safety and health committee, with both employee and management participation;
- Developed an employee training system, with an emphasis on how to do the work in a safe and healthful manner; and
- Worked diligently to change their workplace culture to reflect the importance of worker safety.
Northern Coatings has worked with the MIOSHA CET Division since 1996. CET Senior Onsite Industrial Hygienist Bob Dayringer and CET Senior Onsite Safety Consultant Bill Shane performed a hazard survey on site, which is a part of the award process. This survey allowed them an opportunity to walk through the facility with a MIOSHA representative and correct any problem areas that were noted.
The Safety Committee - which includes Larry Melgary, President; Rich Ulrich, R & D; Doyle Yoder, Chairman; Sue Ellie, Financial & H.R. Manager; Chad Christensen, Production Coordinator; Mike Shaffer, Purchasing; Tracy Chaltry, Quality Control; Mike Rettke, Maintenance/Shipping & Receiving; Dan Jones, Plant Manager; Dustin Kurath, R&D; and one other employee representative who changes monthly - takes an active role in employee training, safety and health activities, and safety and health outcomes.
Some of Northern Coatings' new improvements include:
- Conduct air monitoring twice per year.
- Installed two new fire escapes on finished product storage area.
- Purchased a defibrillator.
- Provided select staff with CPR training.
- Added a new safety shower to the bulk truck unloading area.
- Installed a new bloodborne pathogen kit.
- Installed surveillance cameras for added security protection.
- Installed three backup electric generators for emergency use.
"Companies that establish an integrated safety and health program reap the benefits of significantly reducing their injury and illness rates," said Davis-Ray. "Reducing these rates not only protects employees - it has a healthy impact on a company's bottom line." Northern Coatings Inc. employs 30 workers and manufactures specialty coatings for fuel cells, medical equipment, engines and automotive equipment, and many other commercial products.
Northern Coatings is ISO 9001:2008 certified, and for more than 35 years has been an industry leader in the development and production of high-quality, environmentally compliant coatings. They serve both domestic and international customers and have an active research and development department that keeps them on the cutting edge of coating technology.
Join us on Facebook & click "Like" to add MIOSHA as one of your Favorite Pages. For more information about DELEG, please visit www.michigan.gov/deleg. Follow DELEG at http://twitter.com/MIDELEG, visit the "DELEG" page on Facebook and Become a Fan or visit the Michigan Government channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/michigangovernment
|
NEWS