July 11, 2008 - Interamerican Zinc, Inc. of Coldwater (a U.S. Zinc / Votorantim Metais company) received the Ergonomic Innovation Award today from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).
The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division recognizes the safety and health achievements of Michigan employers and employees through CET Awards, which are based on excellent safety and health performance. The Ergonomic Innovation Award recognizes employers for ergonomic improvements.
"It's an honor to present the Ergonomic Innovation Award to Interamerican Zinc of Coldwater," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "We are pleased to recognize your outstanding efforts to create a work environment that reduces ergonomic hazards, protects workers, and dramatically increases productivity."
MIOSHA CET Division Director CET Division Director Connie O'Neill presented the award to Plant Manager Jeff Reynolds and the Safety and Health Committee, who accepted on behalf of all employees. Local and state officials congratulated the company and their employees on their outstanding achievement.
"This award recognizes all of the men and women that work for U.S.Zinc. Safety is truly driven from the top down through all levels of management in the Votorantim Metais / U.S.Zinc organization," said Reynolds. "Achieving this award is a tribute to the Coldwater team, whose hard work and dedication over the years have resulted in many creative and innovative ideas to boost productivity without compromising safety. This is truly their award and I'm very fortunate to be associated with this team."
The Ergonomic Innovation Award is issued to employers for creative and effective ideas that have been implemented to reduce worker strain. Ergonomic improvements help employees work safely without needing to over-lift, over-reach, sit or stand too long, or use awkward postures. CET Division Industrial Hygienist Greg Grubb reviewed the facility's ergonomic improvements.
Through out its organization, U.S. Zinc has implemented a proactive safety and health system involving both management and employees. The company has updated written standard operating procedures and job safety analysis for each job. All employees are empowered regarding safety and safety goals are published for all to see. The Safety and Health Committee meets weekly and daily toolbox meetings are held at the beginning of each shift, with all employees alternating responsibility for the talks.
U.S. Zinc has made several ergonomic improvements on two major lines in the plant, which have significantly reduced musculoskeletal injuries. On the "continuous galvanizing grade zinc line," employees must skim 2000 - 2500 pounds of dross during an 8-hour shift. The Safety and Health Committee, in combination with corporate safety, studied the operation and implemented a fulcrum point/pivot-based mechanism to skim the dross. A reduction of force and awkward posture were the results of this innovation.
U.S. Zinc also designed and built a raking system for their furnace that eliminates the physical strain of manually emptying it, it also keeps the employees at a safe distance while molten metal is being transferred. This piece of equipment was thought up and designed by the employees themselves. It is a hydraulic and pneumatic raking arm that works similar to a back hoe. A reduction of force and awkward posture were the results of this innovation.
On the "prime western zinc recovery line," employees manually lifted a platform that provided access to the "grizzly," which pulverized the zinc and needed periodic cleaning. The Safety and Health Committee, in combination with corporate safety, recommended a pneumatic system to raise/lower the platform. A key/lockout procedure is used to operate the pneumatic system. A reduction of force and awkward posture were the results of this innovation.
Interamerican Zinc employs 24 workers and utilizes a patented process to recycle zinc from steel galvanizing dross. Zinc can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its physical or chemical properties. The recovered zinc is of excellent quality and is produced to each customer's requirements and meets strict industry specifications. The Coldwater facility is ISO 9001 certified, and is the only plant in the Western Hemisphere utilizing this environmentally pro-active technology.
US Zinc has four divisions, each involved with zinc metal: (1) the Zinc Oxide Division is one of the world's largest zinc oxide producers; (2) the Zinc Metal Division is a full service source for galvanizers; (3) the Trading Division trades zinc products all over the world; and (4) the Zinc Dust Division is the single largest zinc dust producer in the U.S.
Recently US Zinc was acquired by Votorantim Metais (VM), a Brazilian company that is among the 10 main zinc producers of the world. VM is also a leader in nickel electrolyte production in Latin America and the third largest Brazilian structural steel producer.
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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