After writing about this year’s top 10 most cited violations, The Safety Blog is now looking at America’s Safest Companies, as named by EHS Today and the sponsors of America’s Safest Companies – MCR Safety and PureSafety.  Their criteria?  Occupational safety and health, environmental management and employee wellness.  So are you ready for the companies who made it to the list?  Here are the eight excellent companies who have been acknowledged for providing a safe working environment for its employees, protecting the environment, and acting as advocates for health and safety.

AMEC Earth & Environmental Inc.

This Pennsylvania engineering, testing and environmental consulting firm’s approach is budgeting safety into the job from the first day.  It only bids on a job as long as it can answer yes to the question “Can we do this job safely?”  AMEC’s “Beyond Zero,” its vision of success in safety, means having zero incidents at work as well as integrating safety into all AMEC operations and beyond the workplace into the homes, communities and families of its employees.  Vladimir Ivensky, the firm’s director for safety, health and environment, says “If safety stops the moment you leave work, we haven’t done our job.”  AMEC is moving on to the next stage of its safety evolution with its Six Safety Essentials and universal Safety Rules that will sustain its Beyond Zero safety culture vision.

The Concrete Pipe Division of CEMEX U.S. Operations

It used to consider safety as an obligation but this concrete pipe manufacturer now recognizes that safety is paramount and it is their moral obligation.  Their director for safety, health and environment, Rich Holston, explains that they don’t have the right to have somebody come to work and get hurt.  During the evolution of safety belief, the company focused on three principles namely leadership, culture and safety management systems.  It also adopted two new programs.  The first one is called Zero 4 Life which desires employees to go their entire lives without injury while the second one is termed LEGACY which offers training course for leaders.  The company is in continuous progress and process in achieving workplace safety.

Medtronic Inc.

In this Minneapolis-based manufacturer of medical device technology, a strong tie exists between their environmental health and safety (EHS) vision and their company mission.  John Ficklin, the director for health and safety, says that employees provide safe medical devices and therapies and it is a natural extension for them to expect a safe and healthful work environment.  Aside from complying with applicable laws and regulations and empowering managers and employees, the company also takes prime importance to incident reporting and analysis.  In fact, it has an online reporting and analysis system that supports early reporting of incidents and quick involvement of supervisors in incident analysis and corrective action planning.  Medtronic also has Total Rewards and Total Health programs where employees receive health and wellness programs as well as nutrition counselling, marathon training and community activism.

Morin Actuator

This Tyco Flow Control company goes beyond OSHA compliance.  Their concern for safety extends not only to their employees but to their products as well (Morin produces pneumatic and hydraulic quarter-turn actuators).  It has a policy of providing its customers with a safe product engineered using a man-safe design.  In doing this, employees have taken ownership of the safety process such that they bring up a safety issue and trust the management to fix the problem.  They also participate with the team and demonstrate program knowledge.  Depending on assessment, these employees then receive incentives, bonuses, awards and recognitions.  Their EHS manager, Brent White, wrote that the success of their program is reflected by a change in focus, from “What is the least I can do?” [to be in compliance with OSHA and EPA standards] to “What is the right thing to do?”

RQ Construction Inc.

Safety is communicated loud and often at RQ, a general constructor that primarily builds for the Department of Defense.  Chief Safety Officer Don Rogers emphasizes communication as the key in safety.  Their safety culture includes orientations from OSHA-authorized trainers; sponsorships for employees who want to earn training and certifications; and classes on courses on different safety topics.  The company also thinks big by planning long-term safety not just for its employees but for its users and customers as well.

Trendmaker Homes

This residential builder of high-end homes doesn’t just think about the families who will live in their houses but also their employees.  It shows its importance to safety by getting everyone involved.  Jacqueline Richter, vice president of admin/hr and safety, explains that it is a total effort where employees have to do some things with safety that they’ve not been required to do at some of the other builders.  The safety focus is extended to its customers, the workers’ families and to its contractors as well.  Eva Brunell, the admin/hr manager, wrote that this promotion of safety outside their company is the most unique element of their safety program.

Trihydro Corp.

The concern of this Wyoming-based environmental and engineering consulting company to the safety of its employees is evident in its building features, safety database, safety programs and initiatives, regular meetings, extensive training opportunities, flu shots for workers and their families, and a “Safe Home” program.  They value their employees so well that if one has to relocate, they may consider hiring the spouse.  This year, the company is actually bringing the employees and their families to its Laramie headquarters for the annual holiday party.

Wood Group Power Plant Services

The high hazard work environment of this power generation company has not been an excuse for it to be lousy in its safety.  In fact, its injury rate is below the industry’s average.  It hosts EHS indoctrination meetings with new employees, maintains a 24/7 open door policy for safety concerns, and maintains a constant safety campaign, among others.  It also has a program called Frontline focus where all senior management personnel spend 16 hours at the plant level annually working with plant personnel on health, safety and environmental commitments.  Another program that is important is the “Safety Observation and Stop Work” which encourages employees to actively make safety observations and gives them the authority to stop work for EHS concerns without fear of retribution.  The company also requires all employees to enter into personal safety performance contracts and commit to improving safety awareness.

These companies must truly be recognized for their efforts in having high standards for safety and health, not just of their employees and employers but of the families and customers as well.  As we all look at the violations by many companies, may we also learn to look and highlight the companies that strive for both excellence and safety.