ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Sheet Metal Werks, Inc. recently placed third within the 50,001-100,000 man-hour category of the 2016 Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association Safety Excellence Award Program (SSEAP).
The Arlington Heights-based company, along with 138 other firms in the United States and Canada, participated in this year’s SSEAP. Chapter members with the highest level of survey participants secured recognition for their outstanding safety and health records. First and second place winners in the same category included Lyon Sheet Metal Inc. of St. Louis, Mo., and Corn States Metal Fabricators Inc. of West Des Moines, Iowa, respectively.
“We have worked diligently as a total team effort throughout the company to try and be the best when it comes to safety every day, and continue to work hard daily on making improvements to our safety program,” said Kevin Ryan, president of Sheet Metal Werks. “With feedback from everyone involved from top to bottom, it has paid huge, successful dividends.”
According to Michael McCullion, SMACNA director of market sectors and safety, “The SSEAP has been conducted for United States contractors for over 20 years. This year, we instituted the first Canadian version (SSEAP-C) to recognize Canadian members for safety excellence. The goal of every SMACNA member is to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all workers. Our members take safety very seriously and strive for continued safety excellence.”
Survey findings are preliminary, as results are still being compiled. However, McCullion noted that the 2.41 average reported OSHA incidence rate among participating companies was the lowest in 15 years. Additionally, as safety management continues to be a top priority, the average experience modification rate (EMR) of 0.78 dropped slightly from the previous year’s 0.81 — the lowest in 10 years. And nearly all contractors have implemented a safety and health program, conduct safety inspections and use toolbox talks and videos for training.
“Safety, productivity and quality are three keys to a successful business,” McCullion said. “They go hand-in-hand to providing jobs and completing successful projects.”
Sheet Metal Werks offers revolutionary duct delivery systems and commercial HVAC products that help construction projects cut energy fees, improve air quality and decrease labor costs. The company has been a member of SMACNA for 20-plus years.
