Working at a manufacturing facility may be considered one of the most physically involved jobs ever. Duties include lifting, squatting, walking, standing, and operating machinery for hours. Injuries and mishaps involving forklifts, machinery, and trucks (loading and unloading) can occur. Some manufacturing facilities can go a week, or even a month without injuries. Others may report an injury every day or every few days.
This is not the case for Connecticut company, The EDRO Corporation. The third-generation, family-owned company will be proudly celebrating 300 consecutive days without a reported injury in their manufacturing facility on Monday, August 10th. EDRO employees weld, cut sheet metal, assemble and test their range of ‘Battleship Quality’ washer-extractors and tumbler dryers. The management team and safety committee take safety protocols and procedures seriously, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
So how does EDRO go almost a year without a reported injury?
Human Resources Manager and Head of the Safety Committee, Kristin Caruso, ensures that weekly safety inspections are performed throughout the site.
“Every week, I receive an inspection sheet from each production floor department. The departmental heads carry out a daily walkthrough and ensure that all machines are working correctly, all safety guards are in place, and there are no dangerous sharp edges, trip hazards, or fluid spills,” Caruso stated.
EDRO is proud to have a group of long-term employees that are passionate about their work.
“We have a lot of guys that have been here for a long time. They have a ton of experience and take a huge amount of pride in what they’re doing. That’s a key point for our company,” she continued.
Materials Manager Mike Evans is an operations representative for the safety committee. He described the process involved for a new employee learning to operate a machine.
“We implement a train-the-trainer methodology. First, the trainee is shown how to operate the machine. Then the trainee demonstrates what he/she has learned. Finally, the trainee instructs the trainer on how to operate the machine as if the trainer was the new employee,” Evans explained.
EDRO ensures that employees are supplied with the correct PPE equipment when working in the manufacturing facility. “We always make sure our employees are wearing safety boots and safety glasses at all times. We also adhere to a strict facemask and disinfecting policy during the current pandemic,” he continued. “Helmets and gloves are compulsory for all welders.”
Scott Kirejczyk, Managing Director and safety committee advisor, says that the company has always promoted employee safety as the number one priority.
“Our goal is to treat employees with respect and dignity. We want to provide a safe-and-stable work environment. EDRO started its safety committee meetings in the 1980s and it has been active for more than three decades,” Mr. Kirejczyk said. “Listening to, and acting on, the employees’ safety concerns helps the company maintain good HR relations. This a key component in retaining employees. We’re only as strong as our weakest link.”
For more information, visit the company’s web site: EDRO
