Nebraska Governor Recognizes MetalQuest for Safety Achievements Following OSHA On-Site Consultation

Company: Metalquest Unlimited, Inc.

Location: Hebron, Nebraska

NAICS Code: 332710 - Machine Shops

Number of employees: 60

Proud MetalQuest employees celebrate their company’s SHARP recognition after participating in the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program. Continually seeking safety improvements has become an integral part of the company’s culture.

Proud MetalQuest employees celebrate their company’s SHARP recognition after participating in the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program. Continually seeking safety improvements has become an integral part of the company’s culture.

MetalQuest Unlimited has been performing tight tolerance, precision machined manufacturing for the oil, agriculture, firearm, and other industries since 1996. The company specializes in vertical integration of manufacturing processes, including reshoring. For MetalQuest, safety goes hand in hand with its business model of helping customers meet logistical challenges and simplifying supply chains with the highest quality parts and on-time delivery.

Safety has always been a priority for MetalQuest, and its work with OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program resulted in the company becoming the 11th Nebraska business to earn Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognition in July 2019. To commemorate this accomplishment, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts came to MetalQuest’s plant and signed an official certificate verifying the company’s entrance into SHARP.

MetalQuest had its first safety consultation with Nebraska Department of Labor’s On-Site Consultation Program (NDOL) in 2001. Since this initial consultation, company has worked with NDOL many times over the years to develop and improve safety practices. This ongoing work with NDOL and MetalQuest’s safety record made the company a good fit to apply for SHARP. 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 an exemption 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.

Nebraska’s governor visits the plant to congratulate MetalQuest on its induction into OSHA’s SHARP Program. L to R: MetalQuest VP and COO Scott Volk; Aaron Birrell, MetalQuest Safety Manager; Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts; MetalQuest President Scott Harms.

Nebraska’s governor visits the plant to congratulate MetalQuest on its induction into OSHA’s SHARP Program. L to R: MetalQuest VP and COO Scott Volk; Aaron Birrell, MetalQuest Safety Manager; Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts; MetalQuest President Scott Harms.

NDOL began working with MetalQuest towards SHARP recognition in early 2019. NDOL consultants identified a number of hazards in the MetalQuest plant during the site walkthroughs. MetalQuest corrected these safety issues, and trained employees on hazard identification and reporting. Working towards SHARP brought a new level of safety awareness to the company, with the safety team continually improving processes. To ensure the highest levels of safety in the plant, MetalQuest’s safety team investigates all incidents and follows through with implementing proper preventative measures to ensure incidents are not repeated. MetalQuest has experienced fewer lost-time injuries as a result of its work NDOL consultation. In 2019, the company’s Total Recordable Cases (TRC) and Days Away, Restricted and Transferred (DART) rates were zero.

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.