Morgan Thermal Ceramics announces that its Elkhart, Indiana facility achieved a remarkable safety milestone, operating for 10 years without a single lost time injury event. The facility, which manufactures high temperature insulation and fire protection materials used primarily in the aerospace industry and the military, attributes the achievement to the development of an exceptional safety culture, fully embraced by all employees, supervisors, and management.
All employees watch for and report unsafe conditions to their supervisor and are actively encouraged to speak up if they see a potentially unsafe situation. This encourages a “brother’s keeper” attitude to ensure all co-workers are working safely.
Mike Wentzel, Director of Environment, Health & Safety for Morgan Ceramics US, provided guidance and support for the safety program, coining the slogan of “No one gets hurt… nothing gets harmed,” to simplify and focus the company’s EHS policies and procedures on promoting safe behavior at the Elkhart Facility.
The successful safety program includes accident prevention initiatives, as well as consistent, clear communication. Monthly safety meetings cover all OSHA-required training, as well as analysis of near miss incidents, and site-specific safety education training.
Tom Rebernak, General Manager of the Elkhart facility, attributes the program’s success to the outstanding safety culture developed over the past decade. “The constructive input from every person who tours our plant, works with our engineers to implement new processes, or supplies vital safety equipment, helps ensure Health and Safety are woven into the DNA of the organization.”
Morgan Thermal Ceramics celebrated the milestone with an in-plant gala event, and will distribute athletic shoes to each of its employees, along with a pedometer to promote its new wellness campaign.