Safety is not just a priority at Precision Strip, but a value associates hold above all else so that they can go home to their loved ones at the end of each day. This strong commitment to safety has resulted in a downward trend in which fewer associates are injured at work, as the chart illustrates.
The OSHA Recordable Incident Rate displayed here represents the number of associates injured per 100 associates employed during the calendar year. In 2012, Precision Strip associates achieved an Incident Rate of 2.8.
How do we drive this continual improvement in safety? Our dedication to safety is instilled in associates from their first day on the job. We make it our mission to ensure that each and every associate understands the importance of safety and practices safety on a daily basis. Every incident that occurs is thoroughly investigated and the root cause is addressed. We proactively look for hazards in the workplace, and associates actively participate in “toolbox talks” in which information is shared about procedures and safe practices. We are relentless in both eliminating hazards in the workplace, as well as ensuring that there are established procedures for every part of our process. Our safety program is more than just attending meetings and conducting audits, it’s a culture where associates “want” to perform in a safe manner and value a safe workplace. Our safety policy sums it up well:
.jpg)
“Precision Strip believes that all accidents are preventable. We are committed to continuous improvement in safety by eliminating the causes of workplace accidents. Working safely is a condition of employment and no job is so important or unimportant that it cannot be done safely. Each associate is responsible for safety. We expect all associates to place safety above expediency or short cuts, while working toward our goal of zero accidents.”
Precision Strip recognizes associates’ outstanding safety performance with “The Sharpest Knife Safety Award.” It is presented annually to the operations with the lowest Incident Rate. In addition, each associate at the winning operations receives a Case pocket knife. Plant locations recognized for achieving the 2012 Sharpest Knife Award with a zero incident rate include Rockport, Indiana, Minster, Ohio, Perrysburg, Ohio, and Bowling Green, Kentucky.
