LARA - The SYGMA Network, Inc. - Detroit Center Receives State Award for Outstanding Safety & Health Record

The SYGMA Network, Inc. - Detroit Center Receives State Award for Outstanding Safety & Health Record

Contact: Lori Donlan 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

May 31, 2007 - The SYGMA Network, Inc., Detroit Center, located in Monroe, received the Bronze Award today from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for an outstanding safety and health record. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

"We are honored to present this award to the employees and management of The SYGMA Network's Detroit Center for their dedication to workplace safety and health," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "This award recognizes their outstanding efforts to protect their workers, while still meeting the challenge facing businesses today of being economically competitive."

MIOSHA Deputy Director Martha Yoder presented the award to Gary Toth, Vice President and General Manager; and Melinda Buell, Human Resources Manager; who accepted on behalf of all employees. Invited guests, management personnel and employees attended the presentation.

"SYGMA Detroit has always been a leader in safety and health management within the SYGMA system and prides itself on that fact," said Toth. "Safety is truly part of the culture here at SYGMA Detroit and all of our associates Walk the Talk every day."

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 Bronze Award recognizes leadership and commitment to workplace safety and health resulting in significant improvement of their MIOSHA record.

"I am extremely proud of our associates and of their hard work and dedication to working safely each and every day," said Buell. "Our safety culture is a direct result of their commitment and it has been a privilege to be a member of the team!"

The company has completed the following criteria to receive the Bronze Award:

Developed and implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system;
Established a safety and health committee, with both employee and management participation;
Developed an employee training system, with an emphasis on how to do the work in a safe and healthful manner; and
Worked diligently to change their workplace culture to reflect the importance of worker safety.

SYGMA-Detroit's approach to workplace safety and health has made them a leader in Monroe County. They have fully integrated the SYGMA-Safe program into the culture of the SYGMA-Detroit organization and it includes each of the following elements:

Safety attitudes are assessed at the time of interview for new applicants via questions directly relating to safety behaviors;
New-hire orientation training on MIOSHA topics as well as SYGMA-Safe;
Preferred Work Methods (step-by-step work instructions for completing tasks safely) are utilized for all positions in the facility;
Daily supervisor inspections of interior and exterior working/walking areas;
Weekly Safety Manager facility inspections;
Monthly Safety and Ergonomic Employee Participation committee meetings;
Monthly Management Safety meetings;
Supervisor completion of Preferred Work Method observations on each associate quarterly;
COACH Cards designed to facilitate opportunities for supervision to "Care, Observe, Analyze, Communicate and Help" associates to develop safe working habits;
Ongoing safety training and re-training; and
All supervisory staff are trained to conduct accident/incident/near miss investigations.

The facility has worked with the MIOSHA CET Division over several years, and participated in CET seminars. CET safety consultants have also conducted hazard surveys, which allow the company the opportunity to walk through the facility with a MIOSHA representative and correct any problem areas that were noted.

SYGMA-Detroit has also implemented several ergonomic interventions that have specifically helped to reduce injuries associated with order selectors retrieving product from the storage racks. CET consultants have reviewed the ergonomic solutions and innovations developed by SYGMA employees.

"Companies that establish an integrated safety and health program reap the benefits of significantly reducing their injury and illness rates," said Yoder. "Not only are you committed to protecting your workers-you are committed to providing great products and services for your customers. Your corporate core values make you an outstanding Michigan employer!"

The SYGMA Network, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYSCO Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, and one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States. SYSCO's mission is to help their customers succeed, whether they are a major chain, an independent neighborhood diner, a hospital or long-term care facility, a school or a summer camp, or any of the variety of foodservice customers they serve.

The SYGMA-Detroit Center employs 162 workers, and is a customized chain distribution facility currently serving Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. All SYSCO facilities are committed to the highest integrity and ethics in serving their customers, partnering with their suppliers and working with their associates/employees.

SYSCO is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. For the calendar year 2006, the company generated $33.9 billion in sales. For more information about SYSCO visit www.sysco.com.