How West Michigan company in 'high-hazard industry' earned elite safety honor

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Commercial Tool & Die Inc. has joined an elite group of businesses by earning one of the state's top safety awards.

The Comstock Park company, which is in a high-hazard industry, recently received the prestigious Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award for an exemplary safety and health management system.

Commercial Tool manufactures plastic injection and die cast molds for the automotive, appliance, hardware and toy producing industries.

The 60-year-old company, located at 5351 Rusche Drive NW, employs 139 workers.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (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 Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

“We are very pleased to welcome Commercial Tool & Die into this elite group of companies who provide outstanding workplace safety and health protection,” said Rob Nederhood, LARA deputy director.

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.

Commercial Tool has developed a safety and health system that provides outstanding protection for their workers, said Doug Bouwman, owner and CEO of Commercial Tool.
“All employees are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace,” said Bouwman. “A positive environment with open communication, employee involvement and participation, and a respect for one another has helped us achieve high levels of safety performance.”

Commercial Tool's injury and missed worked days rate were more than half that of the national average.

But wasn't always the case.

The company decided to partner with MIOSHA to improve its safety record after its injury rates spiked one year.

"We said 'This is enough, we have to reduce this and we had to put in some safety rules and enforce them,'" Don Brecken, Commercial Tool's director of quality and safety.

The work at the company involves the milling of steel which can create potential hazards from flying chips, sharp edges and heavy materials.

Workers were required to wear cut-resistant gloves when handling cut steel and restricted from lifting any weights over 25 pounds without the use of hoist, sling, magnets or Hi-low. As a result, injuries involving lacerations and back injuries dropped dramatically.

Employees who are injured because they didn't follow a safety rule are penalized. First violation is verbal warning. A second results in a written reprimand in their file, and the third is three days off work without pay. Employees who commit a fourth violation are fired.

"Putting in place some rules and enforcing them really drove it (down)," said Brecken, adding the company has only had to issue written warnings. "They understand you are serious."

Enforcing the news has resulted in recordable injury rates - which require medical treatment - dropping by 65 percent, Brecken said.

As part of its partnership with MIOSHA to improve its safety record, the state sent consultants to walk through the shop, pointing out hazards and help develop a safety plan. This was separate from the state's formal inspections.

The improved safety record and state award is expected to generate some additional benefits including reduced insurance rates and recruiting the best machinists and die makers.

"We see this as good PR," Brecken said.

Brecken says Commercial Tool is looking to hire mold makers and machinists.

The rebounding automotive industry is generating more orders. When that business dropped during the Great Recession, the company stayed busy by diversifying into aerospace.

"We are always looking for good talent," said Brecken. "It's tough because the downturn took out a lot of good talent. People are doing other things or have moved out of the area."

Source : mLIVE