PDM Bridge, LLC

"We don't want people to be quiet when it comes to the safety of this plant. We encourage employees to take responsibility for their safety," says Mark King, facilities manager of PDM Bridge, LLC. The Palatka steel bridge fabricator employs 150 people and is situated on 110 acres with three large metal buildings. The company's fabricated components range from a few pounds to more than 200 tons, creating an environment where daily handling requires employees to focus and to be aware of others. King says employees observe and remind one another of safety guidelines, which has helped reduce common injuries such as struck-bys.

PDM Bridge's safety success includes training, reviews and a safety committee. Its Safe Start safety program features behavior-based training that analyzes the causes of injuries. Training is mandatory and employees go through the program annually. "It focuses people on being aware of what you're doing, where you're going and identifying when you're tired," says King. The company also requires employees to undergo a review process of all incidents, including near-misses, accidents and machine or equipment damage. The company's safety committee meets bi-weekly to audit the facility and is empowered to take action on the spot to ensure all items are addressed.

King says personal responsibility is integral to PDM Bridge's safety success. The company's motto, "Have healthy and safe employees in a healthy and safe work environment" is seen company-wide, including inside buildings and on hard hats. "We take pride in being able to handle bridge components each day with a much reduced incident rate as compared to where we were prior to initiating the program." The company's SHARP success has even prompted King to assist the company's other two facilities--both in Wisconsin--with the SHARP process. "The benefit with the SHARP program is that there's no cost to us. Who could pass that up? And it works!"