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PMA Insurance Group
Winter 2009
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SPOTLIGHT ON EMPLOYEE SAFETY:
Channellock, Inc. Earns PA Governor's Award for Safety Excellence



The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (PDLI) takes workplace safety seriously and, thus, recently acknowledged PMA workers' compensation client Channellock, Inc. for its longtime commitment to employee safety.

PMA had nominated Channellock for the 2008 Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Safety Excellence because of its commitment to employee safety and remarkable loss control results.

Channellock, Inc., headquartered in Meadville, Pa., and known for its bright blue-handled pliers and wrenches, has been making quality hand tools since 1886. While Channellock worked hard for more than 120 years building a successful business, it also developed an equally successful employee safety program.

Channellock & PMA - A Longtime Partnership

A PMA client for nearly 25 years, Channellock has always prided itself not only on taking care of its customers, but also its employees. "Channellock has made safety a priority," says Tim Davis, the Company's Safety Director. "It's part of our everyday business."

Channellock's safety program is an ongoing, collaborative effort between its management and union. Over the past several years, the union safety committee has recommended several safety improvements and PMA risk control has helped the Company build them into its programs. Channellock has established a Total Safety Program, that emphasizes accident prevention and job safety awareness throughout the Company. As employee participation has increased over the years, and its safety processes have become more refined, the Company's injury frequency has dramatically declined. In 2007, Channellock experienced 90 percent fewer employee injuries than in 2001.

"We have made material handling changes, added a safety awareness program, formed a proactive safety committee and implemented training in first aid and CPR," adds Davis. "Today, we conduct monthly safety checks in every department and use these measures collectively to prevent accidents and keep Channellock a safe place to work."

About the Award

Any Pennsylvania-based employer is eligible for the Governor's Award for Safety Excellence. Information and criteria used to determine finalists, and ultimately winners, include comparing nominees' workplace injuries and illnesses to industry standards, and the extent to which nominees' safety efforts are innovative and strategic.

According to the PDLI Website, the Governor's Award for Safety Excellence Semi-Finalist Review Committee conducts initial review of all nominations. If approved by Labor & Industry Department officials, the semi-finalists are contacted for an on-site visit. Member(s) of the Department's safety team conduct such site visits to review the nominee's comprehensive safety program. The Governor's Award for Safety Excellence Review Committee writes and distributes site visit reports for the determination of finalists. Recommendations are then forwarded to the Secretary of Labor & Industry who makes the award determination.

PMA congratulates Channellock not only for its outstanding safety programs and results, but also on this prestigious recognition from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

As employee participation has increased over the years, and its safety processes have become more refined, the Company's injury frequency has dramatically declined. In 2007, Channellock experienced 90 percent fewer employee injuries than in 2001.


 

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