March 23, 2004 –OSHA Assistant Secretary John Henshaw and Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director David Hollister presented E&E Manufacturing Company, Inc. of Plymouth today with the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Award for workplace safety and health excellence.

E&E Manufacturing Company is the first automotive stamping plant in the nation, out of more than 1,000 VPP sites, to receive the VPP Star Award!

"VPP is a roadmap to safety and health excellence, and we know that companies in VPP have injury and illness rates more than 50 percent below the averages for their industries,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health John Henshaw.  “E&E is now proudly joining the ranks of VPP companies that go beyond OSHA requirements by making safety and health an integral part of their company culture."

Secretary Henshaw and Director Hollister presented the award to Wes Smith, president and owner of E&E Manufacturing Company, and Richard Sbroglia, EHS manager. Employees raised the VPP Star Flag during the ceremony.  State and local elected officials, corporate leaders, as well as MIOSHA representatives, were on hand to congratulate E&E employees and management on their outstanding achievement.

“By winning this award, the E&E team shows that it deeply cares about the associates who work here and the importance of safety on the job site,” said Wallace E. (Wes) Smith, president and owner of E&E.  “These tests and inspections are incredibly thorough, and we passed them with flying colors.  E&E has been and will continue to be a leading advocate for worker safety.  It’s just good business.”

The Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Award for exemplary safety and health programs is awarded by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).  The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

“I am honored to welcome E&E Manufacturing into this exceptional group of Michigan companies who have outstanding workplace safety and health programs,” said DLEG Director Hollister.  “Manufacturing matters in Michigan. Your commitment is proof that focusing on safety up front is a sound business decision.”

E&E Manufacturing’s Incidence Rates and Lost Work Day Rates are well below the Michigan average for their SIC code 3465, Automotive Stampings.   Their Total Case Incidence Rate was 8.3 in 2000, 7.6 in 2001, and 6.4 in 2002 compared to 15.3, 16.5, and 16.5, respectively, for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average.  The Total Lost Work Day Cases for the plant was 5.4 in 2000, 5.5 in 2001, and 2.1 in 2002 compared to 7.2, 8.1, and 8.1, respectively, for the BLS industry average.

The MIOSHA Review Team conducted 26 formal and 20 informal interviews during the site visit.   The team examined each of the required elements of E&E’s safety and health management system, and found them to effectively address the scope and complexity of the hazards at the site.

E&E’s Safety Policy states, “Nothing is more important than our associates’ safety.”  There are daily safety meetings, and employees stated that they can shut down machines or processes if they feel they are unsafe.  The SAN (Safety Action Notification) tag/form system has been used successfully by employees to report hazards and have them addressed.

Concern for employee safety and health is integrated into the culture of the organization.  E&E’s ultimate goal is zero injuries and illnesses.  The plant also sets goals for housekeeping issues and for the number of incidents incurred during the year.  (A TCIR goal of .95 was established for 2003.)

The company conducts monthly “wall to wall” inspections, and all employees involved with inspections receive training on hazard identification and applicable MIOSHA standards.   An “8-D” system is used to determine the root cause(s) of all accidents – the system is also used to track the process and make certain the necessary corrections have been made.  All accident investigation 8-D’s are posted in the plant for review. 

Safety and health is effectively integrated into the plant’s overall management planning process.  The QOS (Quality Operating System) system measures seven performance objectives: financial performance, safety/housekeeping, safety/number of incidents, quality, PPM, added value per employee, and individual performance.  Managers, supervisors, and employees are all held accountable for meeting their safety and health responsibilities through annual performance evaluations and the QOS measurables.

E&E Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, is a world-class leader in metal joining technology.  It meets the needs of its outstanding automotive customers by manufacturing heavy gage fasteners, progressive die metal stampings, and high value added assemblies.  

E&E’s 281 associates have control/ownership over improvements in their process(es).  They are involved in solving problems, making decisions and improving product quality.  This system contributes to the growth of the company, as well as improved quality of life in the workplace.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.