2022 GWSA Award Recipients
Kimball Electronics, Jasper, Indiana
Education and Outreach
Founded in 1961, Kimball Electronics provides electronics manufacturing, rapid prototyping, automation, testing, and measurement services to customers in the automotive, medical, industrial, and public safety industries.
Kimball Electronics set their safety focus on an ergonomics program. While they admit pre-shift stretching programs can be a bit generic at times, the company studied the actual body movements for each specific job function in the facility. With full management support and complete employee involvement, Kimball Electronics saw a boost in morale, a reduction of first aid injuries, and improved efficiencies within the company.
The Skillman Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana
Partnerships for a Small-Sized Company
As a professional service company with a focus in construction management, The Skillman Corporation supervises and manages the construction process from concept to completion. Their teams lead project relations with prime contractors, architects, engineers, authorities having jurisdiction, and other stakeholders.
The Skillman Corporation created a health, safety and environment committee and tasked it to improve and innovate the company's safety programs throughout all operations. In January 2021, the company became certified partners with the Coalition for Construction Safety.
Toyota Material Handling, Inc., Columbus, Indiana
Partnerships for a Large-Sized Company
Toyota Material Handling, Inc. (TMH) is a forklift manufacturing facility employing approximately 1,600 workers in south central Indiana. Their manufacturing processes include steel cutting, machining, forming, welding, painting, assembly, quality inspection, maintenance, shipping and receiving.
In late 2020, TMH partnered with ATI Worksite Solutions to provide a new plan of occupational health and wellness for its associates. To better prepare associates for the physical demands of the job, health and wellness specialists deliver a 5-day work conditioning program for all new full-time and temporary shop floor associates in a state-of-the-art fitness facility. As well as preparing staff, partnering with ATI helped Toyota with early intervention with musculoskeletal injuries, identifying ergonomic concerns, and implementing process safety improvements; dramatically reducing recordable injuries.
Gribbins Insulation, Evansville, Indiana
Innovations
Founded in 1985, Gribbins Insulation is a commercial and industrial mechanical insulation and scaffolding contractor serving the Midwestern United States. Their expertise includes insulating complex mechanical process systems for commercial, industrial, and power generating facilities.
In December 2020, Gribbins purchased a mobile safety software program that integrated the use of phones, tablets, and computers, allowing the company to better track, communicate, and identify hazards and best practices. Utilizing this software, the team at Gribbins eliminated all hard-copy safety recordkeeping and can track employee trainings and toolbox talks all in one system. This software brings meaningful insights into safety and health program deficiencies, saves time, and lowers costs.
Hoehn Plastics, Inc., Poseyville, Indiana
Rising Star for a Medium-Sized Employer
Since 1996, family owned and operated Hoehn Plastics, Inc. continues to provide high quality recycled resins to the injection molding industry. Specializing in recycling post-industrial plastic, Hoehn's services include the compounding and manufacturing of MetaPro Polymers that are engineered to replace many prime grade resins.
Hoehn implemented a strong training program, offering OSHA 10- and 30-hour trainings to all employees and a “train the trainer” program for their training staff. As of 2022, 10% of their workforce holds a 10- or 30-hour card. These efforts proved fruitful; reducing their recordable injuries and illnesses by 75% from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, Hoehn applied for pre-SHARP status in the Indiana Department of Labor's INSHARP program.
MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., Ferdinand, Indiana
Rising Star for a Large-sized Employer
Headquartered in Jasper, MasterBrand Cabinets Incorporated is a cabinet manufacturer producing cabinetry and other wood products primarily used for residential storage and organization. With approximately 26 manufacturing facilities company-wide, the Ferdinand Operation is the single largest kitchen and bath cabinet manufacturing facility in North America.
MasterBrand takes a systematic approach to workplace safety and health, focusing on eight key elements: unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, engagement of leadership, employee involvement and engagement, benchmarking, compliance, education and training, and planning for the future. Ferdinand Operations wants to ensure continuous improvement with their environmental health and safety process.
View the recipients of the 2022 Everyday Safety Hero Award here!