Workplace safety is all about prevention and training—to eliminate as much as possible any chance of employees getting hurt or sick. Proper implementation requires participation from every team member and constant vigilance. Though some view safety procedures as an impediment to profitability, research shows they significantly improve efficiency and quality.

“A safe workplace is a productive workplace,” says Mike Diermeier, Badger Sheet Metal Works’ quality/EHS manager.

When safety is prioritized, employees can focus on their work without the stressful distraction of a hazardous environment. Plus, an environment free from a history of accidents attracts qualified workers and keeps them motivated.

Reducing risk and maintaining workplace safety isn’t just the moral thing to do; it’s a strategic investment in the future of Badger Sheet Metal Works (BSMW). To ensure employees can perform their assigned duties with confidence and a clear mind, BSMW adheres to a comprehensive, 4-step safety program:

OSHA Compliance

Over the last century, worker protection laws have come a long way in the United States. Perhaps most notable was the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which instituted workplace guidelines for everything from personal protective equipment and noise exposure to machine guarding, hazard communication and emergency preparedness.

At BSMW, OSHA compliance goes far beyond just posters, training videos and multiple well-stocked first aid kits.

For one, the company actively encourages a culture of open communication. Workers are free to identify and report potential problems without fear of retaliation, and managers respond by taking immediate steps to address and resolve those reported issues.

Some hazards can be easily fixed, while others may take a capital investment to correct.

A recent example of the latter is when BSMW added extensive equipment for fall protection to its large fabrication projects and conducted a thorough assessment to ensure all of the facility’s equipment met proper guarding guidelines.

“Our team needed to be on top of very large fabrication projects, and we did not have an a-frame gantry system we could safely tie off to,” said Diermeier. “While it wasn’t a quick or easy fix, it was a critical step in protecting workers.”

Employee Safety Training

Safety training is conducted continuously throughout a person’s employment at BSMW:

• Education starts on day one for new employees: A comprehensive, custom-created safety video outlines OSHA requirements and other important safety policies and procedures specific to the company’s operations. This includes fall protection, forklift safety for anyone driving a forklift, lockout/tagout, and many other applicable topics.
• To maintain OSHA compliance, all employees participate in monthly safety events covering various mandated topics ranging from fire safety and emergency action plan training to overhead cranes and rigging. The training is led by third-party experts.
• All employees receive ongoing training tailored to their job duties in compliance with industry and federal standards.

Training must be an engaging experience to achieve its goals. Safety events at BSMW are frequently hands-on simulations, giving workers a chance to complete tasks and ask questions.

An Established Safety Committee

BSMW’s Safety Committee brings together expertise from different departments, from shop-floor workers to management in HR and quality assurance. The committee meets at least once a month to review recent incidents and discuss ways to prevent them in the future. Members of the committee also conduct monthly walkthroughs of the production shop floor and offices.

Every month, a member of the safety committee is assigned to a different section of the facility to learn of any safety issues or concerns among the area’s employees.

The Safety Committee keeps employees and management informed about safety-related issues and updates by posting its monthly meeting minutes for anyone to review.

Collaboration with External Experts

BSMW collaborates with an outside team of metal fabrication safety experts to audit operations in an effort to minimize risk, maximize productivity and encourage continuous improvement.

The third-party team attends several Safety Committee meetings, conducts monthly walkthroughs and trainings focusing on different safety procedures, and completes an exhaustive annual assessment of BSMW’s entire operation.

“I’m not in contact with them weekly, but it’s pretty close,” said Diermeier. “Anytime we have a question about interpreting something from OSHA, I immediately reach out to our safety partner for input because they’re the experts. They have always been an exceptional resource for Badger.”

The Bottom Line

Workplace safety, productivity and employee engagement are all part of the equation that equals efficient operations at BSMW. Lose one part and the desired end result will no longer be possible.

BSMW has invested time, money and energy into these four vital steps of its safety operations. By keeping employees educated, motivated and injury-free, the company maintains both high morale and production levels. Because safety and productivity are always best when achieved together!

Contact BSMW today to learn more about the company’s comprehensive safety program or to request a production quote.