Trucks and Parts of Tampa

While some people may count the number of days to a holiday or birthday, Trucks and Parts of Tampa counts the number of days since its last injury--1,136 since a lost-time injury and 262 days since the last reportable injury. Bill Smith, operations manager and safety director, posts these impressive statistics on a board for all employees to view. "I did that because of what the employees accomplished. They're proud of that record and it reminds them to be responsible for each other's safety."

The dealer of used, reconditioned and new garbage trucks, roll-off trucks and concrete mixer trucks earned its second SHARP renewal in 2009. Safety was not always a priority, however, and Smith says the company was once on a path to serious injuries prior to working with USF SafetyFlorida. In 2006, injuries such as burns, dropped engines on feet, and workers under raised forklifts were not uncommon. Today, Trucks and Parts, which has a staff of 19, has a safety and health management system with very few incidents to report: only one incident during 2008.
Part of the company's safety success is attributed to its incentive program. Each year, employees can earn bonuses--such as Target or Wal-Mart gift cards--for every quarter they comply with its safety program. The graduating bonus scale grows quarterly by $25 increments. By year-end, accident-free employees may become eligible to earn a $100 bonus and enter an end-of-the-year raffle, an idea suggested by the company's six-person safety committee. Smith says the bonus program works: employees' spouses appreciate the gift cards. "They like the cards, and at home the importance of safety is reinforced."

Trucks and Parts' DART and TRC rates--2.7 in both categories--are well below their industry average of 5.2 and 9.6. The company's safety commitment has produced other benefits, too, such as reduced costs. Trucks and Parts successfully reduced its workers' compensation claims and insurance premiums by nearly $150,000, another number worth counting.