Elkay's Workers' Comp exposures are not dissimilar to those ofother manufacturers: extensive hand/shoulder activity andlifting/standing, which contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome;tendonitis; and shoulder, back and knee strains.

To mitigate these challenges, Elkay's risk-management teamintroduced at each of its facilities training and ergonomicassessments that have now become standard practice.

Upon centralizing the company's Workers' Comp and EnvironmentalHealth & Safety (EHS) functions in 2006, Elkay's risk teamtraveled to the company's plants and performed “train-the-trainer”sessions conducted over two to four days, depending on the size ofthe plant location, with the goal of better educating lineemployees and supervisors on ergonomic methods for minimizingphysical strains.

Those training sessions, completed with members of the risk teamand outside partner Hub International, consisted of medicaleducation, ergonomic-evaluation criteria, risk assessment and riskprioritization for all employees.

In 2010, the company implemented a global safety-week program inwhich all of its plants participate, during which specific topicsare discussed with staff each day and presentations are given.

In addition, “we have our physical therapists and physiciansfrom the occupational medical facilities join in plant activitiesto assess positions with multiple job responsibilities,” saysCorporate Risk Operations Manager Julia Sfurm.

Plant personnel have embraced the company's focus on safety “andhave worked well within their teams to reduce or mitigateexposures,” says Sfurm. The “wins,” she adds, are posted at thesites so everyone can recognize the benefit of their efforts.

The risk group meets on a regular basis to complete assessmentsof each of Elkay's plants, and progress in keeping injuries down ismeasured in an auditing process.

“Ergonomics is an ongoing assessment process,” Sfurm notes. “Itis not a program that is reviewed once, and we're done. When aworkstation is assessed and recommendations are made forimprovement, the teams are to follow up and reassess the station toensure that the improvement has helped.”

A monthly safety-call meeting is also held, during which plantmanagers, human-resources personnel, maintenance and anyone elseinvolved in EHS matters at any of its facilities must attend. Themeeting includes a review of all recordable injuries; newregulatory-compliance issues; and an environmental review ofupcoming or pending deadlines for federal, state or localcompliance.

“We also have plants present best practices that they are usingand that can be applied to other locations,” Sfurm adds.