United States
Washer and Dryer Manufacturers EDRO Corporation celebrates its safety record by achieving 300 days with no reported injuries. Working in a production facility can be seen as one of the most physically affected tasks of all. Tasks include lifting, squatting, walking, standing and operating machines for hours. Injuries and breakdowns with forklifts, machines and trucks (loading and unloading) can occur. Some manufacturing facilities can go a week or even a month without injuries. Others can report an injury every day or every few days.
This is not the case at EDRO in Connecticut. The third generation family business proudly celebrated 300 consecutive days with no reported injuries at its manufacturing facility on Monday, August 10th. The EDRO employees weld, cut sheet metal, assemble and test their range of washer tugs and dryers in “battleship quality”. The management team and security committee take security protocols and procedures seriously, especially given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The personnel manager and deceased of the safety committee, Kristin Caruso, ensures that weekly safety inspections are carried out on the entire site. “Every week I receive an inspection sheet from every production department. The department heads conduct a walkthrough on a daily basis and ensure that all machines are working properly, all safety precautions are in place and there are no dangerous sharp edges, tripping hazards or spilled liquids, ”explained Caruso.
EDRO prides itself on having a group of longstanding employees who are passionate about their work. “We have a lot of people who have been here for a long time. They have a lot of experience and take great pride in what they do. This is an important point for our company, ”she continued.
Materials Manager Mike Evans is the Works Representative on the Safety Committee. He described the process for a new employee who is learning to operate a machine.
“We are implementing a train-the-trainer method. First, the trainee is shown how to operate the machine. Then the trainee shows what he / she has learned. Finally, the trainee instructs the trainer to operate the machine as if the trainer were the new employee, ”said Evans.
EDRO ensures that employees are provided with the correct PPE equipment while working in the production facility. “We always make sure that our employees wear safety boots and goggles at all times. We adhere to a strict policy on face masks and disinfection even during the current pandemic, ”he continued. "Helmets and gloves are mandatory for all welders."
Scott Kirejczyk, chief executive officer and advisor to the Safety Committee, says the company has always made employee safety a top priority.
“Our goal is to treat our employees with respect and dignity. We want to create a safe and stable working environment. EDRO started its safety committee meetings in the 1980s and has been active for more than three decades, ”said Kirejczyk.
“Listening to and following employees' safety concerns helps the company maintain good HR relationships. This is a key component in employee retention. We are only as strong as our weakest link. "
