NAICS Code: 322211 - Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing

Number of employees: 75

Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. is a privately held, employee-owned company with eleven corrugated manufacturing facilities and four sheet feeder facilities, providing an extensive range of corrugated packaging products. At its facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa, employees work to produce custom boxes and displays that are used domestically and internationally. Processes in this location include design, high-speed printing, shearing, folding, and shipping.

Buckeye Corrugated learned of Iowa OSHA On-Site Consultation through past OSHA experiences and decided to request consultation services for its Cedar Falls facility. Management was eager to identify and address workplace hazards and establish a safety culture for the facility where employees help identify hazards.

During the visit in October of 2022, managers showed their willingness to learn and change processes to eliminate workplace hazards. For example, the facility changed from a corrosive chemical to a non-corrosive chemical to clean ink from the cutting die. The company also added an eye wash and shower station.

Buckeye Corrugated achieved Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status in February of 2023. SHARP acknowledges small and medium-sized businesses that have used OSHA On-Site Consultation Program services and operate exemplary workplace safety and health programs. Small businesses that achieve SHARP status receive a deferral from OSHA or the State Plan programmed inspections for the period that the SHARP designation is valid. Acceptance of a worksite into SHARP is an achievement that identifies the employer as a model for occupational safety and health among its business peers.

Buckeye Corrugated has an active and effective safety committee that consists of 12 employees from all departments. This employee safety committee is an integral part of the safety and health management system. The safety committee assists in hazard recognition and correction and has been a significant contributor to the facility’s overall safety and health. Top management leads by example and actively participates in all aspects of the implementation of an effective safety and health management system. The employees take great pride in the work they do and have no problem bringing safety concerns to the safety committee or their supervisors.

Companies interested in SHARP can contact their local OSHA On-Site Consultation program to discuss details and schedule an on-site safety and health evaluation. To locate the On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.