NAICS Code: 325411 – Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing

Number of Employees: 9

Colorado Biolabs, Inc. began a biotech incubator program in Denver, Colorado in 1997. Colorado Biolabs is the manufacturer of an iron supplement known as Heme Iron Polypeptide (brand name Proferrin). Proferrin is used by those seeking to improve or maintain normal iron levels, such as those with iron deficiency anemia. Colorado Biolabs built its facility in Cozad in 1999, with manufacturing launched in 2000.

The company prioritized safety but felt its safety and health program could use some improvement. This encouraged the company to research ways to upgrade the program and ultimately led to a visit request from Nebraska Department of Labor’s On-Site Consultation Program in 2011.

Hazards identified during the first visit included hazards related to portable fire extinguishers, electrical, pallet jacks, walking/working surfaces, machine guarding, overhead storage areas without proper load rating labels, emergency exit routes, and forklift operations. The company corrected these items by moving equipment blocking extinguishers, training employees in the area not to block fire extinguishers, consulting with building manufacturers regarding posted load limits, fixing electrical and guarding hazards, covering floor holes, developing daily check lists posted on pallet jacks and ensuring daily verification by safety coordinator, posting “Not an Exit” signs, and installing weatherproofing enclosures on receptacles.

The company worked through the years to improve its safety and health management system using self-inspections, meetings, training, and increased awareness. These measured helped to steadily reduce injuries and injury rates until the company achieved injury rates below the national average in 2021 and 2022. The company has had 10 consultation visits since 2011.

On April 20, 2023, the company’s safety and health program reached a level deserving of acceptance into OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). The SHARP program 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.

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.