OKLAHOMA CITY - The Terex manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City recently surpassed the 1.2-million-hour mark without a loss-time incident, which was recognized with the Terex Chairman's Award for Safety and Health. To celebrate this safety achievement, in March the facility held an all-employee celebratory lunch and safety award ceremony and were joined by Terex Corporate Safety Director, Barton McMillion, and Oklahoma Safety Council Director, Dave Koeneke.
"This is one of only five Chairman's Awards presented annually by Terex Corporation, and approximately 50 Terex manufacturing facilities throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and North America are vying for this honor," says Don Anderson, general manager for Terex Roadbuilding. "From management's commitment to team member involvement, everyone owns safety within the Terex organization. I am extremely proud of our team members' continual commitment to instilling a safe working environment."
It's been nearly two years since the last recorded loss-time incident at the facility of more than 350 workers. Throughout this time, the company has seen many changes, including the addition of two new product lines - asphalt paving and crushing equipment - to its manufacturing portfolio. Yet, throughout it all, the company's commitment to safety did not fade. "It's like batting .400 in baseball…it happens, but not too often," comments Drew McCarthick, health, safety and environmental specialist, Terex Roadbuilding, about the milestone achievement in Oklahoma City.
Throughout 2010, the Oklahoma City facility made a concerted effort to advance its safety practices even further to continue the streak. Numerous safety programs were initiated, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures; crane and rigging plans and certifications; monthly Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presentations; and fall protection systems. Safety programs were broadened to include office personnel with ergonomic stretching exercises and the addition of more than 30 American Red Cross CPR-certified team members.
One of the largest Terex sites in the world with 675,000 square feet of manufacturing space, the Oklahoma City facility manufactures approximately 75 products used in the construction of America's infrastructure. The equipment line includes asphalt pavers, material transfer devices and vehicles, reclaimer/stabilizers, milling machines, asphalt plants and plant equipment, concrete slipform pavers, concrete plants, crushing equipment and landfill compactors.