August 1, 2008 – Midwest International Standards Products of Charlevoix 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 Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

"We are honored today to welcome Midwest International Standards Products into an elite group of companies who provide outstanding safety and health protection for their workers," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley.  "We applaud your leadership and long-term success in serving the dry bulk industry − while you diligently protect your employees."

CET Division Director Connie O'Neill presented the SHARP Award to Jerry Muma, Director of Operations; J'Nean Fetterolf, Safety Director; Edith Pair, HR Manager; and Tom Farmer, Shop Supervisor; who accepted on behalf of the entire Midwest International team.  State and local officials congratulated employees on their safety and health achievement.

"Midwest International is especially proud of its employees and the safety committee for their dedication in achieving this award," said Muma.  "It has always been our belief that if employees work in a safe environment, they will produce better equipment.  So we would like to thank each one of our employees for all their hard work in making Midwest International what it is today."

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 Midwest International Standards Products is 333411 – Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing, which is classified as a high-hazard industry.  The company employs 25 workers and manufactures industrial dust and fume collection equipment.  The MIOSHA review team consisted of Bob Dayringer, CIH, Senior Onsite Industrial Hygienist, and Bill Shane, ASP, Senior Onsite Safety Consultant.

In 2007, Midwest International had a Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away from Work and Restricted/Transfer cases (DART) rate that was below the 2006 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average.  Their 2007 TCIR was 4.2 compared to the BLS rate of 7.6 for this type of industry.  Their 2007 DART was 0.0, and compares favorably to the BLS rate of 4.0.

"The Michigan SHARP Program requires a comprehensive consultation visit, and the correction of all serious workplace safety and health hazards," said O'Neill.  "Midwest International Standards Products has developed a safety and health system that provides outstanding protection for their workers."

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

The management team at Midwest International makes every effort to provide a safe and healthy work environment, especially allocating significant resources to support their safety and health system.  Supervisors are responsible for safe operations − and both management and workers are dedicated to the objective of reducing the risk of injury.

Some of the company's best safety and health practices include:

• All employees receive training to do their jobs safely.
• Each employee conducts a daily safety and health inspection of their work area.
• Supervisors and managers are expected to conduct daily hazard inspections.
• All accidents/incidents are reported and investigated by the supervisor and the Safety and Health Committee.
• Most safety hazards are corrected immediately and a hazard/safety report tracks correction of items.
• All employees attend quarterly meetings that discuss company direction and current concerns, including safety and health issues.
• Top management is fully involved in the safety and health needs of the facility.

Midwest International is an air ecology company dedicated to reducing dust emissions in the bulk loading industry all over the globe.  Since 1967 the company has manufactured dust free loading equipment in Michigan, and has been chosen by fortune 500 companies worldwide in over 47 countries to help with dust problems when loading, trimming, or stockpiling dry dusty products.

Midwest continues to lead the industry with solutions to dry bulk loading problems while meeting strict environmental requirements.  Midwest's pre-engineered modules allow plant or consulting engineers to "build" standalone bulk loadout stations or complete loading systems using interchangeable modules.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.