NAICS Code: 322299-All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing

Number of employees: Onsite-70, Controlled-110

Melitta USA, Inc. specializes in manufacturing coffee filters and producing and distributing coffee related products. The company has two locations, a New Jersey coffee roasting plant and a Florida facility that serves as the headquarters and coffee filter manufacturing facility. Melitta USA, Inc. discovered the On-Site Consultation Program through the OSHA website. The company’s Vice President of Operations first invited USF SafetyFlorida’s On-Site Consultation program to its Florida facility for a safety and health visit in 2014.

During the initial visit, the consultants identified eight serious hazards related to machine guarding, electrical safety, compressed gas cylinder storage, ladder safety, fire extinguishers, and hazard communication program. The company promptly corrected the hazards through engineering and administrative controls.

Melitta USA, Inc. first achieved Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status in August of 2015. The company was awarded SHARP renewals in 2017 and 2022. 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 inspection 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.

Following each consultation visit, the company took positive actions to enhance its safety programs and performance based on feedback provided by the consultation program. The employer has created an initiative-taking culture to promote a safe working environment and has implemented continuous safety and health program improvements. The company has also established a very active safety committee that reviews incident data, employee’s suggestions, accident investigations, injury log data, company safety management practices, monthly safety inspection reports, and other safety related subject matters. Members include personnel from all levels of employment. The key responsibility of the safety committee is to ensure that information is shared to promote engagement. Engagement is further encouraged through an incentive program that rewards employees for safety ideas and suggestions.

The company’s work with USF Safety Florida and its commitment to safety and health has resulted in fewer accidents and reduced employee injury and illness rates. The Total Recordable Case (TRC) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates dropped from a high of 4.4 (both TRC and DART) in 2015, down to 0.0 in 2022. The company has not had an OSHA recordable injury since 2018.

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.