Columbus, Ohio — Four plastics processors won Safety Best Practices Awards from the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors.
Automation Plastics Corp. won first place. Second place went to Intertech Plastics Inc., and two companies tied for third: Currier Plastics Inc. and PolyFlex Products Inc.
Indianapolis-based MAPP announced the winners at the 2019 Environmental Health and Safety Summit in Columbus. MAPP members picked the winners from 25 entries.
Here is a recap of the winners:
• Automation Plastics of Aurora, Ohio, implemented a cultural change by improving the physical appearance of its plant and standardizing systems and procedures. Employees on all levels share ideas for improvement, cleaning up spills and putting away tools and equipment.
After the changes, the company reported that people see and report safety issues easier and accidents declined.
• Denver-based Intertech made improvements to forklift and pedestrian safety. The company added wirelessly monitored forklift impact sensors, collision-avoidance devices, LED warning spotlights and pedestrian walkways with guardrails.
The fleet of seven forklifts were upgraded with telemetry sensors that detect impacts and send operator performance reports so managers can reinforce safe operating behavior.
• Currier Plastics of Auburn, N.Y., reevaluated its safety system in 2017 to make it a primary focus. Its new safety coordinator has experience as a firefighter, emergency medical technician and maintenance person. Currier also standardized safety behavior observations by employees and incident reporting. Each employee goes through a formal orientation that includes safety.
• Management gets out from behind desks and sees what the safety issues are at PolyFlex Products of Farmington Hills, Mich.
One example is adding platforms for employees tasked with cleaning filters on hoppers, after material handlers were seen standing on top of the injection side of the molding press. The company got material handlers involved in the problem-solving. PolyFlex also participates in a voluntary OSHA walk-through.
