Seafab Metals Co., an Arizona manufacturer of lead and lead alloy castings and other products used for radiation and X-ray shielding, reports it completed 12 years of consecutive operation without a lost-time incident, and 27 straight months of operation with no OSHA-recordable incidents. In addition to 1,000,000 safe worked hours with only 30 employees. “These accomplishments require great attention to detail as well as complete co-operation from our entire workforce,” according to Don Keith, QA and environmental manager at the Casa Grande, AZ, operation.
Lost-time hours and recordable incidents are measured according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration reporting requirements. OSHA requires plants to maintain records (OSHA Recordable Incidents) on a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including: restricted work activity (RWA); lost work activity (days away from work); medical treatment beyond first aid (OSHA recordable, non-lost time); transfer to another job due to injury; loss of consciousness; and fatality related to work. Injuries that require first aid and “near misses” are not OSHA Recordable.
Seafab Metals is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Doe Run Co., North America’s largest integrated lead producer. Along with the castings it produces in melting kettles, Seafab Metals has the ability to produce or fabricate more than 200 different lead products. It operates two cold rolling mills for sheet, plates, and anode blades, and two hydraulic extrusion presses for wire and pipe products. However, plant manager Ken Bartel emphasized, “The safety of our employees is the number one goal at SeaFab Metals”.
In addition to its notable safety record, Seafab Metals’ H.R. and Safety Manager Tim J. Rango, PHR, said the organization is working to achieve OSHA’s Safety and Health Recognition Rewards Program (SHARP) designation, which recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system.
“Safety is the primary cornerstone of any successful business,” Rango explained.