A Nashville sheet metal manufacturer has received accolades from the state of Tennessee for its zero lost time achievement in 2018. The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) Assistant Commissioner Wendy Fisher (center) recently presented the TOSHA SHARP flag to the employees and management of Wagner-Meinert LLC.

“Employees and management at Wagner-Meinert’s Nashville facility continually strive to maintain low injury and illness rates,” Fisher said. “The site has not experienced any recordable injuries in the past three years which is truly commendable.”

Only 14 companies in the state are SHARP

TOSHA’s SHARP program (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) recognizes small business employers who have used TOSHA's On-Site Consultative Services Program, and operate exemplary safety and health programs. According to TOSHA, “acceptance into SHARP is an achievement of status that singles the company out among its business peers as a model for worksite safety and health.” Only 14 workplaces in Tennessee currently hold the SHARP designation.

“We are thrilled to join an elite group of companies committed to a safe work environment for their employees.” says Scott Eder, the company’s Safety Director.

Wagner-Meinert, which is engaged in the construction, retrofit, and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems, established its Nashville facility in 2013. The nine employees at the site are represented by the Pipefitter’s Union, Local 572. Wagner-Meinert’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, location is also a SHARP participant.

Industry average TRC is 4.8

According to 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the industry average total recordable case (TRC) rate was 4.8, and the industry average days away, restricted, or transfer (DART) rate was 2.7. [The 2017 data is the most current BLS injury and illness data available at the time this story was published.] Wagner-Mainert's rate was 0.0 for 2018. (The 2018 BLS injury and illness data is not available at this time.)

Beginning in 2018, Wagner-Meinert, partnered with TOSHA’s consultative services program to assist in improving its safety and health program with the goal of attaining SHARP participant status.

“We value our partners from TOSHA for their valuable advice and assistance in the process. Our deepest appreciation is directed toward the team at Wagner-Meinert for their commitment to a safe work culture, for each other, and for the benefit of our customers!” says Jeff Albert, president of Wagner-Meinert.

Not in Tennessee?

The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities, such as TOSHA, work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs.