Missouri producer develops unique safety program

The Target Zero coin (top) and shirt (bottom) are issued to each employee involved in the safety program. (Photo: MLPA)

A Missouri aggregate producer recently launched a new safety program.

According to the Missouri Limestone Producers Association, Capital Quarries, a division of Farmer Holding Co., developed a program called Target Zero to prevent workplace complacency and remind employees that they have choices to make when ensuring their own safety and the safety of others.

At the beginning of the year, every employee involved in the program is issued a challenge coin and a t-shirt promoting safety. The program is a six-month challenge, resetting at midyear to allow company leaders and employees the opportunity to assess performances. If an employee has a workplace accident, they must give up their coin. Those who still have their coin at the end of the period may redeem it for a prize with the Target Zero logo.

“We encourage our employees to not allow themselves to settle when it comes to safety,” says Pat Mingucci, corporate safety manager for Farmer Holding Co. “They have the choice to choose safety over easy, every day they are on the job.

“Last year, our program was named ‘Crossroads 2017,’ and it resulted in a 26 percent reduction in recordable accidents with almost 2.5 million man-hours throughout all FHC locations being reported to MSHA (Mine Safety & Health Administration)/OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) companies,” Mingucci adds. “This year, we are striving to reduce accidents at our companies even further.”

To help emphasize the Target Zero program, a company-wide safety meeting was held across the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio, Kentucky, Louisiana and Tennessee. Operations were shut down across all sites at the same time, and 1,700 employees heard the same message, according to MLPA. Furthermore, company presidents, vice presidents and project managers met with employees to discuss safety, complacency and how choices on the job can affect safety.

Information for this article courtesy of the Missouri Limestone Producers Association.