March 10, 2010 - Gestamp Mason, LLC, recently received renewal of its prestigious Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award certification from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).
"Gestamp Mason is to be commended for its exemplary commitment to workplace safety and health. They have created a culture where protecting workers is a top priority," said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. "This company has been a Michigan SHARP site since 2005 and recognizes that a safe workplace provides the foundation for a productive workplace."
MIOSHA established the Michigan SHARP Award to recognize employers that have achieved workplace safety and health excellence far beyond their peers. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).
"Gestamp Mason has worked with the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division for several years. The SHARP process has been a key piece of our strategic plans to assure compliance with all regulations, and to provide a safe workplace for all of our associates," said Gestamp Environmental, Health & Safety Manager Phil Preston. "In addition, it has been a cost effective means to reach key goals for success. We look forward to our ongoing participation for years to come."
The Michigan SHARP Program targets small, high-hazard employers - to help them develop, implement and continuously improve the effectiveness of their workplace safety and health management systems. SHARP provides an incentive for employers to emphasize accident and illness prevention by anticipating problems, rather than simply reacting to them.
The MIOSHA Onsite Consultation Program within the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division operates the Michigan SHARP Program. Onsite consultants work with employers to help them become self-sufficient in managing occupational safety and health. SHARP worksites earn an exemption from "programmed" MIOSHA inspections on a yearly basis.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for the Gestamp Mason facility is 336370 - Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping, which is classified as a high-hazard industry. The MIOSHA review team consisted of Joe Barela, CET Senior Onsite Safety Consultant, and Eric Zaban, CET Senior Onsite Industrial Hygienist.
"The Michigan SHARP Program requires a comprehensive consultation visit, and the correction of all serious workplace safety and health hazards," said Kalinowski. "The Gestamp Mason facility has developed a safety and health management system that provides outstanding worker protections."
The facility has an excellent system in place, which incorporates each of the seven required elements: Hazard Anticipation and Detection; Hazard Prevention and Control; Planning and Evaluation; Administration and Supervision; Safety and Health Training; Management Leadership; and Employee Participation.
Gestamp Mason management has a written commitment, tied to performance objectives, in which effective environmental, safety and health practices are a top priority in their never-ceasing improvement process. The MIOSHA evaluation team found noteworthy professionalism and cooperation between management and workers to foster a safe and healthy work environment.
Gestamp Mason has comprehensive safety and health goals, hazard control plans with regular safety and health surveys, and detailed action plans to accomplish their goals and objectives. The company has an effective plan for emergency situations. All employees assigned safety and health responsibilities are provided the resources to do their duties.
The facility has significant worker involvement, including an active safety committee. Employees receive appropriate safety and health training and the safety committee participates in the planning and execution of the training. The committee also participates in planning safety and health activities and evaluating safety and health outcomes.
The facility employs about 170 workers and operates 24/7. They are approved to TS 16949 (quality system), and ISO 14001 (environmental systems). They supply General Motors, Ford Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen and other tier two customers. First delivery was made from the Mason plant in November 1998, and they have grown consistently since.
Gestamp Mason, LLC, (www.gestamp.com) develops, manufactures and markets safety and structural components for the car industry. Activity is based on the technology of hardening boron steel in connection with compression stamping. The press hardening technology allows narrower tolerances, reduced installation problems and reduced weight while meeting stringent safety requirements. It can therefore provide lighter, more cost-effective solutions than alternative methods.
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