TOSHA Assistant Commissioner Wendy Fisher (center) presents the TOSHA SHARP flag to the employees and management of Wagner-Meinert LLC in Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) Assistant Commissioner Wendy Fisher recognized Wagner-Meinert LLC of Nashville, Tennessee, for its initial certification as a TOSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) site, a designation the location earned in 2019. This program recognizes small business employers who have used TOSHA's , On-Site Consultative Services Program, and operate exemplary safety and health programs. Acceptance into SHARP is an achievement of status that singles the company out among its business peers as a model for worksite safety and health.

The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities, such as TOSHA, work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs.

“Employees and management at Wagner-Meinert’s Nashville facility continually strive to maintain low injury and illness rates,” Fisher said. “The site has not experienced any recordable injuries in the past three years which is truly commendable.”

Acceptance as a SHARP site is a prestigious recognition of a company’s accomplishments and only 14 workplaces in Tennessee currently hold this designation. Qualified workplaces have exemplary safety and health programs and injury rates below the national averages for their industry.

According to 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the industry average total recordable case (TRC) rate was 4.8, and the industry average days away, restricted, or transfer (DART) rate was 2.7. [The 2017 data is the most current BLS injury and illness data available at the time this story was published.] Wagner-Mainert's rate was 0.0 for 2018. The 2018 BLS injury and illness data is not available at this time.

Wagner-Meinert LLC established its Nashville facility in 2013. The company is engaged in the construction, retrofit, and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems. Labor is represented at the site by the Pipefitter’s Union, Local 572. Approximately nine employees work at the Nashville facility. Their Fort Wayne, Indiana, location is also a SHARP participant.

“We are thrilled to join an elite group of companies committed to a safe work environment for their employees.” says Scott Eder, Safety Director.

Beginning in 2018, Wagner-Meinert, partnered with TOSHA’s consultative services program to assist in improving its safety and health program with the goal of attaining SHARP participant status.

“We value our partners from TOSHA for their valuable advice and assistance in the process. Our deepest appreciation is directed toward the team at Wagner-Meinert for their commitment to a safe work culture, for each other, and for the benefit of our customers!” says Jeff Albert, president of Wagner-Meinert.

On-Site Consultation and SHARP are voluntary programs. To locate the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.

Source: Jeff Albert, President, Wagner-Meinert LLC
         Scott Eder, Safety Director, Wagner-Meinert LLC