Transforming Safety: Discover Innovation's Role in Creating Safer Workplaces
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Career & Culture
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April 11, 2025
Safety is more than a goal — it’s our top priority, a responsibility we have for the people who spend their days working in our facilities around the world. We strive to create spaces where our employees can work productively, efficiently and safely.
“Safety is an integral part of the culture here,” says Priscila A., EHS Coordinator. “The Company has a clear focus on safety and innovation and encourages and supports our ideas for improving safety.”
Ajay P., Plant Manager of our Willard, OH facility, agrees, sharing additional benefits of integrating this mindset into our processes. “Jobsite safety directly impacts the lives of our team members, and by addressing these areas, they feel valued and protected at work. There’s no greater motivation than that,” he states.
He also explained how the Company’s leadership is invested in the safety of our operations. “Leadership is so clear about the vision and objectives. Their passion is contagious,” Ajay shares. “In my past roles, I’ve never had top leadership make themselves available to discuss safety and provide guidance.”
Take our Willard facility, where Ajay is helping our employees feel protected in their workplaces. “With support from leadership, we’ve invested more toward employee well-being in Willard. By addressing any concerns, we’ve built trust and loyalty in our workforce. And that’s helped the Willard site achieve a higher retention rate and improve efficiency.”
“I’m applying my engineering skills to identify risks and implement solutions. I love being able to solve these complex challenges.”
Priscila A. EHS Coordinator
The Importance of Engineering on Safety
“Engineering is a powerful tool for promoting health and safety in the workplace,” shares Priscila. “I decided to pursue a career as a safety engineer because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.”
As an engineer working in this field, she balances technical analysis and communication as she and her team develop and train teams on new practices and guidelines.
“In my day-to-day work, I conduct inspections and interviews with employees and managers to find opportunities for improvement,” she says. “I’m applying my engineering skills to implement solutions. I love being able to solve these complex challenges.”
The result of her work has led to the adoption of proactive tools that ensure the safety of our employees. “It’s exciting to see how the simple adjustments to these programs completely transform them,” she says. “I love my job because I see the positive impacts of the solutions we develop. That’s how I’m helping ensure our team members return home safely every day.”
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How We Refine Our Processes
In order to prioritize employee safety, our teams are constantly exploring ways to refine our procedures. Ajay was empowered to refine the plant’s policies.
He and his team started by evaluating data from the past several years to identify areas of improvement. “We concluded that training, onboarding and communication were full of opportunities,” Ajay shares.
The team employed innovative ways to reduce potential risks, looking to Lean Manufacturing techniques for inspiration. “Typically, lean manufacturing principles increase productivity, but we used them to identify areas to improve safety performance,” he explains.
They additionally took GEMBA walks — walkthroughs where leaders observe the operation of different areas of a facility — to develop a plan. “We focused on areas where we could have a big impact and act proactively to correct any issues we discovered,” Ajay says.
After discovering these opportunities to improve, they immediately updated policies and made pedestrian walkways more clearly defined on the production floor. Ajay and his team also trained the workforce and communicated the importance of these updates.
“We conveyed the message that safety comes first,” he explains. “And that everyone is empowered to stop working if they feel they’re in unsafe conditions.”
“Jobsite safety directly impacts the lives of our team members, and by addressing these areas, they feel valued and protected at work. There’s no greater motivation than that.”
Ajay P. Plant Manager
Celebrating Safety Wins
For these efforts, Ajay received a Cornerstone Award — an internal recognition for the people making an impact in our operations. “I’m honored to receive this award for Environmental, Health and Safety — an important pillar for the Company and one close to my heart,” he shares.
He continues, “Too often, we focus on solving the next problem without pausing to appreciate the effort behind the solutions. But, as a site leader, I’ve seen firsthand how a simple acknowledgment can transform motivation, engagement and team culture. Working in an environment where an individual’s efforts are noticed and recognized is an honor.”
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