Commercial Tool & Die Inc. Receives SHARP Award for Workplace Safety and Health Excellence

Michigan (WorkersCompensation.com) - Commercial Tool & Die Inc. of Comstock Park received the prestigious Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Award today for an exemplary safety and health management system.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) established the Michigan SHARP Award to recognize employers that have achieved workplace safety and health excellence far beyond their peers. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

"We are very pleased to welcome Commercial Tool & Die into this elite group of companies who provide outstanding workplace safety and health protection," said Rob Nederhood, LARA Deputy Director. "We applaud your success as a leading manufacturer of plastic injection and die cast molds − while you diligently protect your workers."

CET Division Director Nella Davis-Ray presented the SHARP Award to Don Brecken, Director of Quality and Safety, and the entire Commercial Tool Safety Committee who accepted on behalf of all employees. Invited guests, management personnel and employees attended the ceremony and luncheon.

"All employees are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace," said Doug Bouwman, Commercial Tool Owner and CEO. "A positive environment with open communication, employee involvement and participation, and a respect for one another has helped us achieve high levels of safety performance."

The Michigan SHARP Program targets small, high-hazard employers - to help them develop, implement and continuously improve the effectiveness of their workplace safety and health management system. SHARP provides an incentive for employers to emphasize accident and illness prevention by anticipating problems, rather than simply reacting to them.

The MIOSHA Onsite Consultation Program within the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division operates the Michigan SHARP Program. Onsite consultants work with employers to help them become self-sufficient in managing occupational safety and health. SHARP worksites earn an exemption from "programmed" MIOSHA inspections on a yearly basis.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for Commercial Tool & Die is 333511 - Industrial Mold Manufacturing, which is classified as a high-hazard industry. The facility employs 139 workers and has worked with the MIOSHA CET Division for several years. The MIOSHA review team consisted of Dave Henderson, CET Onsite Safety Consultant, and Harvey Johnson, CET Senior Onsite Industrial Hygienist.

In 2011, Commercial Tool & Die had Total Recordable Case (TRC) rates and Days Away from Work and Restricted/Transfer Cases (DART) rates below the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average. Their TRC was 1.9 in 2011 - compared to the 2010 BLS rate of 5.5 for this type of industry. Their DART was 0.0 in 2011 - compared to the 2010 BLS rate of 2.4.

"The Michigan SHARP Program requires a comprehensive consultation visit, and the correction of all serious workplace safety and health hazards," said Davis-Ray. "Commercial Tool has developed a safety and health system that provides outstanding protection for their workers."

The company has a very good system in place, which incorporates each of the seven required SHARP elements: Hazard Anticipation and Detection; Hazard Prevention and Control; Planning and Evaluation; Administration and Supervision; Safety and Health Training; Management Leadership; and Employee Participation.

Commercial Tool was founded with a strong commitment to integrity and doing the right thing for customers, employees, business partners, and neighbors. Living their core values in all they do is essential to their success.

Commercial Tool & Die was founded in 1953 and is a leading manufacturer of plastic injection and die cast molds and, through their sister companies, fixtures, special machinery and custom molding. They provide quality service to the automotive, appliance, hardware and toy producing industries. By providing responsive, 24-hour customer service, Commercial Tool has established a reputation for quality tooling and on-time delivery.

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