Number of employees: 35

Established in 1951, PT-Distribution Center (PT) specializes in manufacturing quick connect/disconnect couplings, castings, safety pumping systems, clamps, and banding. Each of PT’s six locations also offers services and capabilities such as heat treating, fabrication, machining, and injection molding. PT heard about the Oklahoma Department of Labor’s OSHA Consultation (Oklahoma Consultation) from other companies in the state. They believed the partnership with Oklahoma Consultation would prove to be an invaluable resource. Their first Consultation visit was in 2014 and since then, all six locations have had visits.

Since PT’s first visit, the company made the following changes to improve workplace safety and health:

1. Monthly safety training conducted by a third party.
2. Safety orientation/training with all new PT team members.
3. A safety committee that holds monthly meetings and conducts routine inspections of PT’s facility and equipment.
4. Opportunity for Improvement (OFI) program, which encourages employees to recommend improvements focusing not only on production but safety. All suggestions are rewarded through the company’s “It’s Not Just About Me” program.
5. Employees are empowered with the ability to stop and inform other employees of any unsafe practices. All unsafe conditions must be reported to a supervisor and/or the safety manager immediately.

At PT, safety is essential at all levels of the company. For years, PT had been working with the Oklahoma Consultation to pursue the prestigious Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation. Four of the six PT locations have achieved SHARP status in the last five years, and the other two are working towards the designation. SHARP acknowledges small and medium-sized businesses that have used OSHA On-Site Consultation Services and operate exemplary workplace safety and health programs. Small businesses that achieve SHARP status receive a deferral from OSHA or 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.

It has been PT’s goal to achieve the SHARP certification at all their locations, and for each location to remain in the SHARP program. PT began this process by ensuring that the proper resources were dedicated to its safety and health program. PT’s facility management worked with the corporate safety director and provided the proper direction, while production and support team members implemented the changes identified and suggested by Oklahoma Consultation.

“The SHARP certifications and overall company-wide safety are truly a great group effort,” Deb Hankins, EH&S Director, said. “Through the SHARP process, it has boosted our internal culture to be centered on safety. We now proudly maintain a facility that promotes team member ownership of the safety program.”

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.