Lift truck safety, operator excellence recognized

Crown Equipment Corp. has received Lift Truck Operator Awards from the National Safety Council, highlighting the company’s forklift operator excellence and lack of injuries.

By Source: Crown Equipment Corp. December 19, 2011

Crown Equipment Corp. has announced that eight of its facilities have received Lift Truck Operator Awards from the National Safety Council for outstanding safety practices. The awards recognize forklift operators for operator excellence in lift truck operations by operating lift truck fleets without recordable or lost time injuries. The seven manufacturing facilities and one distribution center are all located in Ohio and support Crown’s global business.

This is not the first time Crown and its facilities have been recognized by the National Safety Council. In 2010, the company received an Occupational Excellence Achievement Award for its achievements and implementation of effective safety programs and initiatives. In that same year, the company’s manufacturing facility in Greencastle, Ind., was recognized for achieving 1 million consecutive man hours over 10 years without a lost time injury.

“At Crown Equipment, we take great pride in safety excellence both in our manufacturing facilities and processes, as well as working with our customers on best practices for forklift safety,” said Brian Duffy, director of corporate environment and manufacturing safety, Crown Equipment.

Crown’s SafeSteps program has enabled the company to dramatically shift the culture of safety to be self-directed and owned by its employees. The program uses employee observation, feedback, and positive reinforcement, as well as management support, to focus on the behavioral aspects of safety. The comprehensive safety program provides an anonymous, discipline-free approach to safety that is unique for a manufacturing environment. Employees recognize and evaluate fellow employees on the safety techniques they’re performing correctly rather than solely focusing on unsafe behavior. This fosters a positive learning environment that allows Crown to keep employee health and safety as a top priority, as well as ensure productivity and efficiency in its facilities.

The National Safety Council works to prevent injuries and accidents at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education, and advocacy.

Edited by Sharon Sofinski