Think SHARP
OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program awards and exempts businesses with exemplary safety and health management systems from OSHA inspections for a period up to two years. Qualifying businesses must participate in a comprehensive safety inspection and also have Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (DART) and Total Recordable Case (TRC) rates lower than their industry average.


Jacksonville's International Baler Earns First SHARP Award

For International Baler, new management was the catalyst for implementing a proactive safety and health management system. On February 8, 2008, Roger Griffin joined the Jacksonville small business, which fabricates industrial metal baling machines that are used for recycling.

Safety Coordinator Anthony Walker says Griffin's arrival "rocketed" the company into a renewed safety culture. "Previously our company had a limited safety program and culture. He (Griffin) arrived with a safety-conscious mind. We re-wrote our safety manual and developed a safety team. The change in safety culture has birthed a new mission to become a competitive manufacturer and safety-driven organization." Walker purchased an OSHA 1910 Standards book that he says, "turned into my Bible. I implemented all the procedures in the shop such as evacuation plans, eyewash stations, updating our MSDS books and crane safety."

Management's decision to embrace this newfound safety culture wasn't instantly accepted by everyone. Employees' buy-in to change was initially slow. By encouraging participation and repeating emphasis on the mission to eliminate injuries and illnesses, management now has complete employee buy-in. The company has a staff of 26 employees, who produce 200 different standard models of baling equipment in addition to customized balers. Walker says educating employees about potential hazards was also an important factor. "I presented a few videos pertaining to hazards that we may face and the painful results that can and will happen if ignored. I also shared with my fellow co-workers information about accidents that were occurring at other shops in the area and how easily it can happen here without aggressive preventive measures."

In 2009, the company was referred to the USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program during an OSHA compliance inspection. "We were interested in establishing a partnership with a professional safety and health organization that would evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the company's existing safety and health program. In addition, we wanted to take advantage of technical assistance, resources and identify potential hazards associated within the industry." After implementing recommendations such as updating its lockout/tagout program, introducing a hazard communication program and incorporating new personal protective equipment for employees, International Baler is SHARP certified. "The company's safety success is the result of a willingness to change, a dedicated safety team, aggressive enforcement of safety policies and rules, and employees taking ownership of the safety program." Their program is working, too. The company has not experienced a recordable incident since 2008, and its 0.0 DART rate stands out from its industry average of 4.4.

JELD-WEN of Venice Receives First SHARP Recognition

"We are committed from the top down to making safety a part of our culture, not just our favorite slogan," says Aneta Lagos, safety coordinator at JELD-WEN's Window Division, located in Venice. The worldwide manufacturer of windows and doors has five facilities in Florida. This year, their Venice location earned a SHARP award for the first time.

JELD-WEN's corporate risk management division recommended the Venice manufacturing plant to the USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program based on the company's achievements in risk reduction. JELD-WEN’s executive management encourages all facilities that exhibit exemplary safety management systems to pursue OSHA's SHARP award. In addition to the Venice plant, four other JELD-WEN facilities around the country have achieved the SHARP recognition, with two more currently pursuing the award.

In April 2009, Lagos and Production Manager George Silva contacted USF SafetyFlorida to request their first on-site consultation. Silva says, "In my heart, I knew we were doing a tremendous job with our safety program, and we felt we were prepared for the visit, but we were still quite nervous about having done everything that we could. We had every file on-hand and could answer every question, and we soon realized how valuable USF SafetyFlorida consultants Jim Ulseth and Luis Pieretti could be. We quickly came to understand that they were here to help us even when at times it seemed more like tough love. They advised us on things we walked by every day. They were incredibly thorough, and we really learned a lot. Their help was invaluable to us."

Management's commitment to earning a SHARP was never in question. The employees were more hesitant, however, at least in the beginning. "The employees didn't know what to think about it (SHARP) at first," says Silva. "After Jim and Luis were here, our employees immediately wanted to know what was going on and how did we do." That moment was a turning point, and employees then became an integral part to earning their SHARP. "It was awesome the way everyone participated," he says.

JELD-WEN Venice's employees continue to work diligently to improve their safety processes. Every Monday, the plant completely shuts down for an hour to allow every employee an opportunity to participate in the process of making improvements. Employees are divided into continuous improvement project teams that enhance workstations, ergonomic issues and safety awareness. Lagos says the meetings achieve a safety-first culture by involving everyone in the facility, including management and staff. Employees are also encouraged to notify management immediately when they notice something is wrong. "We prefer to be proactive to an unsafe condition or observation than to be reactive to an actual incident or injury."

The combined efforts of management and employees are working, too. In addition to earning the SHARP recognition and having a safer work environment, the facility has recorded fewer incidents. Between 2006 and 2008, their TRC rate dropped from 6.11 to 3.04 and their DART rate plummeted from 5.23 to zero. And a number to really cheer about: a 25% reduction in workers' compensation premiums.

What's Wrong With This Picture? Sling Hook

New to the e-letter this month, we feature photographs of how accidents can be prevented. Thank you to Pat Stark, our "What's Wrong With This Picture" USF SafetyFlorida contributor for February.

Hazard(s) / Violations: Bent, twisted chain sling hook

1. CFR 29 1910.184(d). Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer.
2. CFR 29 1926.251(a)(1). Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it’s safe. Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service.
3. CFR 29 1910.184(e)(9). Alloy steel chain slings with cracked or deformed master links, coupling links or other components SHALL be removed from service.

Consequence(s)

1. Potential breakage of sling at hook during lift resulting in severe or fatal injury to employee(s).

Action(s)

1. See Hazard(s) / Violations #1 and #2
2. Train all persons who will be using slings on proper use, inspection criteria and “take out of service” criteria for each type of sling.
3. Employer needs to designate and assign key person(s)--department supervisor or manager--to follow-up on training to ensure that those trained understand and are actually applying the training in their duties.
4. In relation to Action #3, the employer needs to hold the key person in that department responsible and accountable (measure to ensure these responsibilities are carried out) to ensure safe actions and procedures are being followed.
5. Management needs to recognize and acknowledge employees’ safe/right work standards, the same as production and quality is recognized and acknowledged.

Consultant's Corner: Safety Innovations: A Race to Be the Best

Tips and advice on best practices in safety and health management
from USF SafetyFlorida consultants.



Jessica Bohan, CST, OHST
Safety & Health Consultant

In January's Consultant's Corner, Pat Stark quizzed our slings and rigging gear device knowledge. This month, Jessica Bohan asks us to think of a safety committee much like you would a driver's pit crew---a suitable analogy for February's Daytona 500.

Safety is a non-stop process in which everyone must be involved to effectively make it work. With a new year upon us, it seems fitting to discuss safety solutions for your workplace that are practical, affordable and easy to use.

Being an avid race fan, I recently spent a (freezing!) weekend attending the Daytona Beach International Speedway's “Roar Before the 24”event. For years, I have watched how safety rules, restrictions and ideas have changed this industry. (Read more … )

If your professional organization or association would like to include safety and health as part of its program agenda, visit www.usfsafetyflorida.com to request a guest speaker. Our consultants are glad to talk with groups about the importance of safety and health management systems and will work with you to tailor a discussion that best fits your audience.

Fly the Flag

Cutrale of Leesburg was recently awarded USF SafetyFlorida's Sunshine State Safety Recognition Award. To celebrate and commemorate the occasion, the company purchased shirts for its employees. Sam Shaw, safety coordinator for the Leesburg juice facility, says earning the award has motivated them to go for the next level in safety, OSHA's SHARP recognition. "I have confidence we will have the SHARP in 2010."

Is your SHARP flag proudly on display at your worksite? If you'd like to share a photo of your SHARP flag and what it represents to your company, submit an image and description to eLetter@usfsafetyflorida.com. Selected companies will be featured monthly in our e-newsletter.

Q: How is consultation different from when OSHA sends out its enforcement people?

A:: When a company requests a consultation, they should understand that the results of our visit will not be released to OSHA. The person who requested our services is the only person who will see the results of our visit. A caveat to this is if we find a hazard that poses an extremely serious and immediately life-threatening risk to your workers.  By law, we must report such findings to OSHA.

USF SafetyFlorida does not have the authority to issue citations or fines. Our job is simply to talk with you about your safety management system, to conduct a walk-through of your worksite, and to close our visit with a discussion about any hazards we have found, establishing a schedule for early remediation. After the consultation, we will follow up with our confidential written report to you.

To start the process, request a consultation, and one of our consultants will contact you to schedule a visit. In the meantime, you can tune up your written safety plan in just a few minutes by checking out our SafetyWriter service that helps you click together a safety plan. And remember, accidents hurt; safety doesn't. We look forward to hearing from you.


Charlene D. Vespi, MS. Ed., CWCP
Program Director
USF SafetyFlorida

The USF OSHA Training Institute Education Center will host its next Safety Week in Orlando March 22-26, 2010. For $450, participants can take the following three courses:

• OTI 7400 Trainer Course in Construction Noise
• OTI 7415 OSHA Construction Industry Requirements: Awareness of Major Hazards and Prevention Strategies
• OTI 7505 Introduction to Accident Investigation