Technology Conservation Group
TCG of Lecanto earned its first SHARP renewal in 2009
Technology Conservation Group’s corporate headquarters in Lecanto—near Crystal River and Inverness—may seem rural to some, but its impact is felt around the globe.
Technology Conservation Group’s corporate headquarters in Lecanto—near Crystal River and Inverness—may seem rural to some, but its impact is felt around the globe. The total recycler of electronic scrap, by-products and other technological products has locations in Oregon, Kentucky, Mexico, Brazil, Israel and the United Kingdom.
While Technology Conservation Group (TCG) had an existing environmental safety and health program, it first learned of the USF SafetyFlorida consultation program in 2005, when a company representative attended a safety conference in Orlando. Keith Brown, a USF SafetyFlorida consultant, worked with TCG to educate them on the benefits of consultation and recommended the SHARP program. “At first, management and employees did not understand the significance of the SHARP program,” says Debra Jackson, environmental health and safety administrator. “But once Keith stepped in and explained the benefits of earning a SHARP, everyone was on board.” It took TCG’s Lecanto office approximately one year to earn a SHARP designation, and in 2009 TCG earned its first SHARP renewal.
Much of TCG’s safety success is due to weekly safety inspections. The proactive walk-throughs give Jackson and Steve Craig, global EH&S manager, an opportunity to identify first-hand any safety issues that may be occurring inside the facility. Inspections also provide safety management with an opportunity to speak personally with TCG’s 70-plus staff members. TCG also has a safety committee that meets monthly and includes staff members from different departments. “The committee reviews safety issues identified during the weekly walk-throughs and develops a strategy to remedy those issues,” adds Jackson.
TCG’s safety strategy is indeed working. In 2008 there were only two injuries and illnesses and its TRC rate was 2.4, well below the industry average of 3.9. TCG’s DART rate was 2.4, also below the 3.1 industry average. Additionally, TCG expects two other U.S. locations—its Louisville, Kentucky and Portland, Oregon sites to be SHARP certified as well. When it comes to achieving SHARP success Jackson says, “It’s not about one person. It takes everybody to make this happen.”