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About Norweco
Awards
On August 5, 2005 Norweco, Inc. was
honored with the 2005 Governor’s Excellence Award in Workers’
Compensation recognized by The Ohio Bureau of Workers’
Compensation (BWC). This prestigious award acknowledges Ohio
businesses and public employers that provide a safe,
cost-effective workplace for their employees, while supporting
their injured workers. The criteria cited by the bureau for this
award are as follows:
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Exemplary commitment to creating a
safe workplace
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An outstanding cost-containment
program
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Active leadership by senior
management
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Employee involvement
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Measurable results
Norweco’s management and employees go
to great lengths to protect against workplace injuries. Their
commitment to safety is demonstrated by dedicating time and
resources to safety programs and strategies. In January 2004,
Norweco completed a comprehensive overhaul of their safety
program. Plant-wide safety inspections, performed weekly, include
the General Manager and Vice Presidents with employees from both
the shop and office. Any safety concerns noticed during the
assessment are immediately reported to the Production Manager for
corrective action. Several Norweco employees are also First
Aid/CPR trained should their assistance be required if a medical
emergency should occur.
An organized safety committee is
another way Norweco prioritizes the prevention of workplace
accidents. Goals of the committee include the interpretation and
adherence to safety policies, organization of safety training and
retraining of employees and addressing employee concerns and
suggestions. Employees are encouraged to report near misses and
hazards so the safety committee can properly investigate, correct,
and reduce recognized unsafe and unhealthy working conditions or
potential hazards. With heightened safety compliance necessary
due to the storage of hazardous material, Norweco’s safety
committee developed and implemented a response plan for emergency
situations and regularly holds evacuation drills.
Norweco recognizes that a safe
workplace is essential to the success of their business. There
are many visible costs associated with workplace accidents such as
compensation, legal fees and insurance and medical costs. Hidden
costs, which are estimated to be between two and three times
visible costs include: lost production, administrative cost of
accident investigation, replacement of staff and sick pay.
Norweco’s efforts to develop and implement procedures to minimize
occupational safety and health hazards have not only protected
their employees but kept their costs to a minimum.
With zero recordable injuries for
nearly 3 years, Norweco recognizes that employee efforts were key
to achieving this goal. Norweco’s commitment to a safe and healthy
workplace earned them this mark of distinction. Out of 150
applicants, Norweco is honored to be one of only six Ohio
businesses to receive the Governor’s Excellence Award in Workers’
Compensation. For more information on the Ohio Bureau of Workers’
Compensation and the safety programs and services that they offer,
visit
www.ohiobwc.com.
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