Nov. 7, 2006 — Oregon Steel Mills’ Portland Steel Works was recently honored by Occupational Hazards magazine as one of the 10 safest companies in America.

Rounding out the top ten for Occupational Hazards magazine’s 2006 America’s Safest Companies are EnPro Industries, Fluor Corp., Koch-Glitsch, Noble Drilling Services Inc., OFG Jasper Cherry Street, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Precision Components International, Rust Contractors Inc. and Walbridge Aldinger Co. The companies were honored Nov. 6 in San Diego, Calif.

The magazine says that when it comes to safety, the 10 companies selected to be Occupational Hazards’ 2006 just plain “get it.” From their top executives to the factory floor, these companies understand that safety is essential to business success. Safety committees, training, job-hazard analyses, audits, stop-work authority, employee involvement and management visibility are all part of everyday operations for these companies. The companies exemplify the symbiotic relationship between safety and productivity, profits, morale and employee retention.

“America’s Safest Companies serve as inspiration to employers across the country who sometimes lack a determined commitment to occupational safety and health,” says Sandy Smith, Chief Editor. “Whether they have 10,000 employees or 100 employees, the 2006 ASC companies have demonstrated a commitment to safety and believe that a strong commitment to safety reflects positively on their bottom line.”

As Koch-Glitsch President Bob DiFulgentiz puts it, the qualities that helped the company’s Wichita, Kan., manufacturing facility become an OSHA VPP Star site are the same qualities needed “to deliver on time, have a high-quality product and have good productivity.”

“Amazingly, when we focus on safety, all the other measurements improve,” DiFulgentiz says. “It’s just good for business.”

Since Occupational Hazards first launched America’s Safest Companies in 2002, some common denominators have become apparent. To name just a few:

• Upper management commitment. At Noble Corp., executive management has spent more than $35 million over the past 10 years on EHS equipment, training and initiatives.
• Comprehensive training. Rust Constructors requires its new-hires to take part in a multi-stage training/orientation process that introduces and reinforces safety strategies over several weeks.
• Employee involvement. At OFG Jasper Cherry Street, employees lead and conduct the safety committee meetings.
• Safety as part of daily operations. Before every job task, each Rust Constructors crew is expected to complete a job planning and safety assessment card.

The magazine notes that honoring America’s Safest Companies would not be possible without the commitment of several sponsors. MCR Safety, which is a long-time and dedicated supporter, is the Gold sponsor for 2006. PureSafety, another long-time participant, is a 2006 silver sponsor, as is North Safety.

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