June 20, 2008 - Acument Global Technologies − Holly Operations Gainey Drive facility received the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award today from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for workplace safety and health excellence. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).
"We are honored to welcome the Acument Gainey Drive facility into this elite group of Star companies who provide exemplary safety and health protection for their workers," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "Your corporate dedication to safety sends a strong message that focusing on worker safety is a sound business decision."
MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski presented the MVPP Star Award to Jim O'Dea, Plant Manager, Holly Operations, and the facility's Safety and Health Committee. Martin Schnurr, Vice President and General Manager, Acument North America, congratulated employees on their safety and health success. Employees raised the MVPP Star Flag following the ceremony.
"This is truly a total team accomplishment, reflecting our operation's proactive and preventative culture. All of our team members realize that safety is everyone's responsibility. The teamwork, cooperation and personal standards they live by daily are the key to creating remarkably consistent results," said O'Dea. "The leadership of Operations Manager Richard Stout, EHS coordinator Jennifer Henderson, and Regional EHS Manager Michelle Cook - combined with the personal commitment of the members of the Gainey Operations Cross-Functional Safety Team - enabled us to reach this high standard of performance. I'm proud to be associated with them."
This is the most prestigious safety and health award given in Michigan. MIOSHA established the MVPP program in 1996 to recognize employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health. Since 1999, Michigan has recognized 26 MVPP Star companies. The Gainey Drive facility received the MVPP Rising Star Award in 2004.
"Gainey Operations has achieved the kind of safety culture that all of Acument's operations should strive to emulate," said Schnurr. "What this team of people has accomplished reflects their mutual concern for their fellow associates and the personal standards of each employee at the facility. They can be justifiably proud of their mutual achievement. All of us at Acument applaud them."
The incidence rates at the Gainey Drive facility are below the industry average for their NAICS code 33637 − Motor Vehicle Metal Stampng. Their total case incidence rate (TCIR) was 0.0 in 2006 − compared to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Michigan industry average of 9.5. The total day's away/restricted cases (DART) rate was 0.0 in 2006 − compared to the BLS industry average of 4.9.
"National VPP sites experience 60 to 80 percent less lost work day injuries than would be expected of an average site in their industry," said Kalinowski. "Not only does the MVPP program significantly reduce injuries and illnesses-it also has a tremendous impact on the bottom line."
The Holly Operations Gainey Drive facility employs 27 workers and produces metal washers for the automotive fastener industry. The MIOSHA review team consisted of Doug Kimmel, Team Leader and CET Safety Specialist, and Kristin Osterkamp, CIH, CSP, CET Industrial Hygienist. The team conducted 11 formal and two informal interviews during the Star site visit. The team examined each of the required elements of their safety and health management system, and found them to effectively address the scope and complexity of the hazards at the site.
Areas of excellence at the Gainey Drive facility include:
- Extensive audit/inspection requirements,
- Excellent machine guarding,
- Under floor conveyor system which eliminates lifting and hauling scrap,
- Barriers installed around loading docks,
- Ergonomic improvements in the tool room cells,
- Extensive communications system, and
- Improved contractor system.
Headquartered in Troy, MI, USA, Acument Global Technologies, Inc., is a world leader in mechanical fastening systems and value-based fastening solutions, including engineered fastening systems, state-of-the-art fastening installation technology, and inventory management and application engineering services. With 8,500 employees in 17 countries, Acument provides fastening solutions to brand-leading customers in the aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, industrial, non-automotive transportation and related end-use markets. For more information, go to www.acument.com.
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