Editor's Note: The 2024 class of America's Safety Companies will be recognized Tuesday, August 27 during the Safety Leadership Conference. More information about the conference, including registration, can be found at www.safetyleadershipconference.com.
Victaulic Company
Primary Metals
Easton, Pennsylvania
3,036 Employees | 21 Sites | 16 EHS Professionals
There’s always a chance that safety programs can become complacent, even award-winning safety programs.
That’s not the case with Victaulic.
Victaulic was named one of America’s Safest Companies in 2015. That same year, Victaulic Forks campus in Pennsylvania was also designated a VPP Star Certified workplace.
Since then, Victaulic has invested in technology to eliminate workplace hazards and automate many of the manual processes that had contributed to employee injuries. Victaulic also doubled the number of full-time salaried safety professionals. The company also covers the cost of training for all employees who wish to become emergency responders, ensuring there is an immediate response 24/7 in the event of an accident.
“The ROI in these investments is not only financially measurable, but the signal being sent to the employees on these investments is priceless,” says William D'Amico, global director of safety and health.
Victaulic believes that all injuries are preventable. As a result, the company devotes considerable resources toward the identification and elimination of hazards and training employees how to do their job safely. Employees participate in weekly safety inspections as part of Victaulic's hazard identification and elimination program. The company conducts annual safety assessments to ensure all facilities comply not only with their safety requirements but also OSHA regulations.
Victaulic’s TRIR is well below the industry average, and the company has seen a significant reduction in workplace recordable injuries thanks to its aforementioned investments and its bespoke Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) program. A large percentage of employees are trained to perform BBS observations on their peers, and the company has developed metrics to gauge the program’s effectiveness.
Employees participate in monthly safety committee meetings and are actively involved in Victaulic’s emergency response teams. Employees also give feedback on safety program changes. In fact, employee feedback is required prior to introducing new PPE or program changes that have a direct impact on employee safety.
As an example, the company is currently working with a leading provider of protective personal equipment to prototype specially designed safety gloves for foundry employees that provide both thermal and impact resistant properties while maintaining a high degree of dexterity.
“Our employees are our most important asset; therefore, protecting them is a natural part of how we go about our business,” D'Amico says. “It's not as much making the business case for safety as it’s the way Victaulic does business and values workplace safety.
"When interviewed, over 95% of employees stated they felt that management considers their overall safety and wellness a top business priority."
