DLEG - Kappen Tree Service Receives State Award for Outstanding Safety & Health Record

December 17, 2007 - Kappen Tree Service, LLC, received the CET Gold Award today for an outstanding safety and health record from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

The tree care industry is ranked among the most dangerous professions in the U.S., close behind logging and commercial fishing. Kappen Tree Service has gone more than 16 years without a lost time accident.

"We are honored to present the CET Gold Award to Kappen Tree Service and to recognize your exemplary achievement of reaching 16 years without a lost time accident," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "Your outstanding safety and health record is a testament that protecting your workers is a core company value."

MIOSHA Deputy Director Martha Yoder presented the award to Crystal, Warren and Jason Kappen, who accepted on behalf of all employees during the company's holiday luncheon. Invited guests and the company's 110 employees attended the presentation and luncheon. Field employees are represented by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 17.

"Our employees are the true recipients of this award and we are extremely proud of them. As managers, we strive to create a strong safety culture. However, it is our employees who must work safe every day," said Crystal Kappen. "We are honored today to accept this award that belongs to all of our dedicated employees."

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 CET Gold Award recognizes an outstanding safety record of 100,000 - 2,000,000 continuous hours worked without days away from work, based on the employer's size and type of business.

Kappen Tree Service's outstanding safety and health record came from several areas, including significant employer commitment, an active safety and health committee, job safety analysis (JSA) to identify hazards, regular safety and health training, and a dedication to changing their safety culture. CET Division Senior Onsite Safety Consultant Bill Shane performed a hazard survey at the company, which is a part of the award process.

Woman-owned and family-operated, Kappen Tree Service has been a trusted name in the commercial and residential tree care industry in the Thumb Area and Southeast Michigan since 1991. Located in Cass City, Kappen is a full service tree care business that is committed to environmentally sensitive and safe practices.

In November 2006, Kappen became one of the first companies in the U.S. to receive Tree Care Accreditation by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). The TCIA is a 68-year-old public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture representing approximately 2,100 tree service and affiliated company members. The accreditation recognizes stringent performance standards for quality and safety.

The accreditation review includes:

Best business practices,
Ethical business conduct,
Formal training and certification of employees,
Compliance with industry standards;
Consumer satisfaction,
Adherence to safety standards, and
Insurance coverage.

Additionally in March 2007, Crystal and Jason Kappen gained TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) status. The purpose of the CTSP program is to reduce work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses overall, and completion of the program demonstrates a true commitment to improving the safety and well-being of their tree care workers. Maintaining a CTSP on staff means the company is committed to safe practices designed to prevent accidents.

"We applaud your commitment to excellence and your outstanding efforts to protect the safety and health of your workers in a very high-hazard industry," said Yoder. "You are meeting the challenge facing businesses today of being economically competitive, while still maintaining an accident-free work environment."