OSHA Releases New Comprehensive Safety, Health Program Case Study
OSHA has released a new case study that shows how Ritrama, a signatory of the Graphic Arts Coalition alliance, realized lower workers' compensation premiums and higher productivity and quality after implementing a comprehensive safety and health program. Ritrama is a multi-national corporation that manufactures pressure-sensitive films and labels for the automotive, beverage, health, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries.
"Ritrama's success is a good example of what can happen when management and employees dedicate themselves to workplace safety and health," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "While the benefits from Ritrama's new safety and health program have occurred throughout the company, the company has reduced their workers' compensation premiums by $44,000, increased sales by 7.5 percent, and have reduced the costs of manufacturing defects and waste by more than $2 million."
In a company memorandum thanking Ritrama employees, Safety Director Mike Conklin wrote, "Our safety programs are not given 'lip service.' Safety is part of our culture, and we have had measurable results over the past 5 years."
In an effort to significantly improve its safety and health performance at the company's manufacturing plant in Minneapolis, Minn., Ritrama designed and implemented a program to educate employees, managers, and supervisors about safe work practices and procedures. The case study, "Ritrama Invests in Safety and Improves its Bottom Line," details Ritrama's efforts and is available at www.osha.gov/dcsp/success_stories/alliances/gac/gac_case_study.html.