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Streimer again recognized
by SMACNA for Annual Safety Excellence Awards program.
Once again this year, the Sheet Metal
and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
(SMACNA) has certified that Streimer Sheet Metal Works achieved
a zero-injury-and-illness incidence record during 2003. This
places the company second in the U.S. for the lowest injury
rates in the 300,001-400,000 man-hour category.
Two-thousand three marks the third consecutive
year that the company has reported zero-time-loss injuries
or illnesses.
New safety program implemented
Phil Lemons, CSP, Streimer safety coordinator,
has helped create and implement a new safety program entitled,
“Hazard Identification and Control.”
Late in 2001, Lemons and his staff began a formal
incident-review process among injured employees. From information
gathered during employee interviews, it became apparent that
work hazards had not been well defined and therefore many
potential hazards were not recognized.
“We had to rethink the whole process of
identifying something as a hazard,” Lemons said.
As a result, Lemons and his safety team emphasize
the importance of the following two steps:
1.) Specify the nature of hazards, and 2.) take
immediate action to eliminate or control hazards.
Program highlights
Streimer’s “Hazard Identification
and Control” program consists of an in-depth 90-minute
class that covers some of the following topics:
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Correcting perceptions
of how and where accidents arise. |
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Learning the nature of
hazards and how to identify them. |
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Redefining what constitutes
a hazard. |
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How to eliminate internal
barriers from defining hazards and taking action. (These
barriers can arise from incorrect beliefs, failure to
understand consequences, low self-esteem and making erroneous
assumptions.) |
The program features classroom
instruction, role-playing and analyzing accident charts and
graphs. Lemons serves as instructor and facilitator.
Since April 2004, more than 200 Streimer employees
have successfully completed the “Hazard Identification
and Control” program. All new hires must complete the
program during their orientation period.
A word to the safety-wise
“The thing to remember,” Lemons
said, “is that there is no such thing as a small task.
We must always be vigilant about recognizing hazards whether
we’re on the job, at home, or anywhere.”
In the construction industry, accidents most
often occur among workers toiling alone on small-duration
tasks and not working as a team.
Lemons suggests making a quick analysis prior
to starting any task. He says it’s important to ask yourself
the following three questions: “What am I about to do?”
“How can it hurt me?” and “What do I need to
do to protect myself?”
A program to inspire and help others
Streimer’s “Hazard Identification
and Control” program has been so well received that it
has been adopted by one of Streimer’s general-contractor
customers, which mandates that its superintendents and project
managers complete the program.
In addition, Lemons will facilitate the “Hazard
Identification and Control” program on March 1, between
10:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, at the 2005 Oregon Governor’s
Occupation Safety and Health Conference at the Oregon Convention
Center. The program is open to the general public. The safety-and-health
conference runs between February 28 and March 3.
For additional information on the conference,
call 503-378-3272.
Or Contact Phil Lemons at:
ph_lemons@streimer.com
503-288-9393
Fax: 503-288-3327
Toll Free: 1-888-288-DUCT (3828)
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