In 2005, two ergonomic committees were formed for the mill and the findings/chain areas, respectively. The purpose of addressing ergonomic risk was to reduce the number of ergonomic-related injuries and associated costs. An Ergonomic Job Measurement System (EJMS) was used to evaluate the risk of various tasks. High risk areas were prioritized and corrective actions implemented to reduce risk. In 2006, key program results were as follows: 31% Improvement in the Recordable Injury Rate, 36% Improvement in the Days Away Incident Rate, EJMS scores were reduced by an average of 50% in the mill area, and 60% decrease (or $168,000 in direct cost savings) in total workers compensation claim experience in 2006 compared with the average from 2003 to 2005. In 2007, Stern-Leach/Hallmark-Sweet/Excell received the Most Improved Safety Award for Cookson companies with greater than 50 employees worldwide.

Author: Samuel A. Davis, Gary W. Hoffer