Recognizing Workplace Safety Innovations
Each year, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation acknowledges employers who excel in creating safety solutions for their employees. This competition is typically intense, with companies from diverse industries across the state participating.
The winners of the Safety Innovation Awards are announced annually at the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo. In 2020, five winners were recognized for their workplace innovations. We congratulate the 2020 Safety Innovation Awards winners and highlight their innovative safety solutions.
Diversified Fall Protection
Portable Truss Anchor
Diversified Fall Protection, a company that engineers and manufactures fall-safety equipment, was one of the five winners. Working on machinery at ground level presents hazards, but working on machinery at height significantly increases the risk.
To address this, Diversified Fall Protection developed the Portable Truss Anchor. This solution allows workers to establish an OSHA-compliant anchorage point for working in high places. It is quicker and easier to install than traditional anchors.
Over one thousand workers have used the Portable Truss Anchor, and there have been zero fall-related injuries reported.
Fort Amanda Specialties
Custom Cleaning-in-Place Safety Solution
Fort Amanda Specialties, specializing in chemical processing and creation, was another award recipient. Cleaning machinery and work materials is a dangerous aspect of the chemical processing industry.
One machine, a transport screw used to move materials for production, was particularly hazardous. Cleaning this device exposed workers to open machinery, high-pressure water, and the risk of slipping on overspray.
To protect their workers, Fort Amanda Specialties developed a custom wash-lid for the transport screw. The wash-lid featured a permanent spray nozzle inside, which eliminated worker exposure to the machinery, high-pressure water, and dangerous overspray. This innovation resulted in safer conditions and reduced water usage.
Mt. Vernon City Schools
Rapid Barricade for School Safety
Moving away from the industrial sector, Mt. Vernon City Schools was the third winner. They received an award for their innovative Rapid Barricade.
Given the unfortunate reality that schools must prepare for lockdown scenarios, Mt. Vernon City Schools personnel developed a device to lock doors while adhering to ADA guidelines for accessibility. Their solution, the Rapid Barricade, was designed with the unique circumstances of the classroom and ADA guidelines in mind.
The Rapid Barricade is easily installed on any ADA-standard doorway, can be operated in seconds, and can withstand over 1,200 pounds of force. The personnel who developed this device collaborated with a local machine shop, have filed for a patent, and plan to deploy their invention to other schools. This invention protects both workers and children during their education.
TFO Tech Co., LTD
Furnace Pulley Unloader
TFO Tech Co., LTD secured the fourth spot with their Furnace Pulley Unloader. This company produces automobile and other machine parts using industry-standard furnaces.
One aspect of furnace operation involved workers raking parts into bins as they exited the furnace. The parts were incredibly hot, and the repetitive raking motion posed a threat to workers' backs, shoulders, and chests, making injuries a serious concern.
In response, TFO Tech Co. developed the Furnace Pulley Unloader, a machine-operated steel rake that performs the same job. This invention addressed two threats: workers could maintain a greater distance from the hot parts, and they no longer needed to manually operate the rake. What was once a dangerous task is now as simple as pushing a button.
Thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America
Near Miss Reporting App
The fifth and final winner of the 2020 Safety Innovation Awards was Thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, a Hamilton-based company. This local business manufactures shock absorbers for various automobiles and employs approximately seven hundred workers.
Thyssenkrupp faced a common problem among large employers: a lack of near-miss incident reporting. Reporting near-miss incidents required workers to fill out multiple documents, obtain signatures from witnesses, and submit them through bureaucratic channels. This tedious system made it inconvenient to report near-misses, leading to an overall lack of reporting by workers.
To remedy this, Thyssenkrupp developed the Near Miss Reporting App. Accessible from an everyday smartphone, the app allows workers to quickly and easily report near-misses. By having these incident reports, the company can proactively prevent future injuries.
Like the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Congratulations to the Winners
McKenzie & Snyder extend their heartfelt congratulations to all of the 2020 winners. Video demonstrations of each safety innovation can be found at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/BWCOhio/videos. While these winners and other contestants prioritize employee safety, some companies do not.
If you are injured on the job, contact the attorneys at McKenzie & Snyder. With over twenty years of experience in Workers’ Compensation law, the attorneys of McKenzie & Snyder are prepared to fight for you.
When you need a lifeline, call McKenzie & Snyder at (513) 737-5180.
