JANUARY 20, 2006 –  Today the Forging Specialties Division of Steel Industries Inc., an Ameri-Forge Group Company, has become the fourth facility in the state to receive the prestigious SHARP Award for an exemplary safety and health management system. 

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) established the Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award to recognize employers that have achieved safety and health excellence far beyond their peers.  The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

DLEG Deputy Director Bob Swanson and MIOSHA Deputy Director Martha Yoder presented the SHARP Award to David Heminger, President, Ameri-Forge; and Keith Woodland, President, Steel Industries.   All Steel Industries employees were on hand to celebrate their safety and health achievement.

“I am proud to present this prestigious award to the employees and management of Steel Industries, particularly in connection with your $8 million expansion,” said Swanson.  “Your outstanding safety and health record demonstrates that a strong safety and health program goes hand in hand with increased production and profits.”

The following public officials recognized their achievement:  Thaddeus McCotter, (R) U.S. House of Representatives, District 11; Laura Toy, (R) Michigan Senate, District 6; Andy Dillon, (D) Michigan House of Representatives, District 17; Larry Cesar Arreguin, Governor’s Southeastern Michigan Office; R. Miles Handy, Supervisor, Redford Township; and Gail Govaere, Regional Representative for Senator Carl Levin.

Heminger, who is president and CEO of Ameri-Forge Group Inc., Steel Industries’ parent company, had high praise for Michigan’s strong working relationship with Steel Industries, resulting in a safer workplace and culminating with the presentation of the SHARP Award.  He emphasized that, “A safe working environment is essential to a successful company.  The SHARP Award is a significant achievement for the people of Steel Industries and a key indicator that they are focusing on what is really important.”

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 system.  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.

Keith Woodland, President of Steel Industries Inc., remarked that,  “The assistance, support and encouragement of several key MIOSHA personnel have been instrumental in our achieving this recognition.  This has been a very positive experience for our company.”

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for the Forging Specialties Division is 332111 – Iron and Steel Forging, which is classified as a high-hazard industry.  The Division employs 57 workers, and their incidence rates are well below the national average for their NAICS code.  The Total Case Incidence Rate for the Division was 1.8 in 2004-compared to 14.7 for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average.  The Total Days Away/Restricted Cases (DART) for the Division was 1.8 in 2004-compared to 6.4 for the BLS industry average.

“The Michigan SHARP Program requires a comprehensive consultation visit, and the correction of all serious workplace safety and health hazards,” said Yoder.  “The Forging Specialties Division has developed a safety and health system that provides outstanding protection for their workers.”

The Division’s safety and health management system 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.

Some of the Forging Specialties Division’s best practices include:

• Weekly Safety Inspections;
• Management of Change, as evidenced in a recent change in Powered Industrial Truck lift capacity;
• Root Cause Investigation of all Incidents, whether it triggers a recordable injury or not;
• Excellent Housekeeping, for this type of industry; and
• Top Management and Employee Involvement on the Safety Committee.

With nearly a century of forging excellence, Steel Industries Inc., an Ameri-Forge Group Company, is a full service open die forging and seamless rolled ring manufacturer. The company is comprised of the three operating facilities with offices, manufacturing and warehousing facilities located in Redford Township, and employs a total of 141 workers.

Steel Industries is ISO 9001-2000 certified, and provides products for the power generation, industrial machinery, machine tool, mining, construction, and transportation industries.  This fall they announced an $8 million expansion project to upgrade their product offering.  They will purchase land and buildings to add a state-of-the-art heat-treating complex, additional CNC machining equipment and other processing equipment.

Founded in 1985, Ameri-Forge Group Company is one of the largest and most technologically advanced suppliers of closed-die forgings, rolled-ring forgings, and machined products servicing a variety of markets. 

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