Safety National has announced the recipients of its 2024 Safety First Grant, awarding a total of $17,500 to three companies for innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing workplace safety.
The program, a hallmark of Safety National’s advocacy for risk management, provides grants of up to $10,000 to policyholders who propose creative solutions for reducing workplace injuries and illnesses.
Berry Global, a manufacturer of plastic packaging and engineered products, received the $10,000 matching grant for its efforts to enhance safety in industrial robot cells.
The company’s operations rely on these enclosed workspaces to improve efficiency. However, accidental machine restarts during maintenance or other tasks pose a significant risk. To address this, Berry Global is implementing radar sensors to detect human motion in three-dimensional spaces, ensuring that machinery cannot restart while an employee is in the hazardous zone.
These sensors also avoid false alarms by ignoring static objects, such as boxes. Combined with existing controls, this system is expected to safeguard 106 employees and save $25,000 per incident.
Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., a crane rental service provider, earned the $5,000 grant for installing an environmental monitoring system to address heat-related risks.
Employees often work in high-temperature environments, where manual monitoring methods have been prone to errors. The new system uses enterprise-grade sensors connected to a real-time platform to track conditions such as temperature, humidity, and heat index. Alerts are sent to supervisors when thresholds are exceeded, enabling prompt intervention.
This upgrade aims to protect 400 employees and reduce potential workers’ compensation claims by up to $200,000 annually.
Lam Research, a global supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, received the $2,500 grant to improve warehouse ergonomics. The company has introduced powered Joe Stackers, ErgoPack auto banders, and adjustable tables to minimize manual material handling and reduce the physical strain on employees. The initiative has resulted in fewer workplace injuries and reduced lost workdays caused by strains and sprains.
Safety National recognizes the critical responsibility employers have in ensuring employee safety. Workplace injuries, whether severe or minor, can significantly affect business operations. The Safety First Grant program reflects the company’s commitment to supporting proactive safety measures among its policyholders.
How can other companies adopt similar strategies to mitigate risks and protect employees? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
