NAICS Code: 811310, Valve Repair

Established in 1945, Frank D. Riggio Co Inc. (Riggio Valve) is a family-owned, small-business located in Bayonne, New Jersey. The company specializes in the full rebuilding, welding, and machining of valves, actuators, and positioners. The owner and president, Vin Riggio, treats his employees as family, and he recognizes that the employees are his company's most important asset, and their safety always comes first. Riggio Valve designed their Safety and Health Program to help ensure that all their employees return home safe, sound, and healthy from a day on the job. Mr. Riggio hired Lise Hansen, Safety Consultant, and designated Scott Lingle, the Chief Operations Manager, to begin the process of improving Riggio's workplace safety and health for all employees. The company has worked diligently to create a safe work environment.

Mr. Riggio first learned of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) On-Site Consultation Program while attending a safety conference, and he contacted the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD), Occupational Safety and Health On-Site Consultation for more information and learned the service was free, confidential, and no citations would be issued. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program services are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with visit priority given to high-hazard worksites. Consultants from state agencies, such as NJLWD, or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide services on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing a Safety and Health Program.

Mr. Riggio realized the value the On-Site Consultation Program could have to his company. Over the years, customers required more and better safety practices. He knew investing in safety and health could elevate his company to another level of success.

Through use of the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program, Riggio Valve continued improving workplace safety and health practices. Workplace safety and health programs were created and employee training conducted. Hazards were identified and corrected in the areas of machine guarding, ventilation, electrical, and housekeeping. Noise and air sampling were conducted to ensure employees were not being exposed to health hazards. A safety committee was instituted and included representation from all levels of the company. The safety committee conducts inspections throughout the facility, performs accident and near miss investigations, reviews reported and suspected hazards, and establishes job hazard analyses.

Riggio's Safety and Health Program involves employees every step of the way. All employees have authorization to stop any job at any time if they recognize a possible hazard or unsafe condition. This empowerment has created true ownership of the program. Individuals strive to improve safety and health each and every day. Employees report the principle of safety and health has trickled into their home life too, creating a safer and healthier environment for their families.

Riggio Valve has appreciated the advantages of having fewer injuries and illnesses since working with the OSHA consultants. Focusing on safety and health at Riggio has led to reduced injury and illness rates and increased savings on insurance premiums. Riggio has not had a recordable injury in over three years. In comparison for 2014, 2015, and 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the national average Total Recordable Case Rate (TRC) rate was 3.47, and the average Days Away from Work, Job Transfer and Restriction (DART) rate was 1.67. Reducing the injury and illness rates contributed to reduced workers compensation insurance premiums and related cost associated with such claims. In 2010, Riggio's worker's compensation experience modification rate (MOD) was 0.940. Through hard work and use of the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program, Riggio's MOD rate dropped to 0.755 in 2017.

Riggio Valve continues to invest in safety and health. An example of this is the recent purchase of a remotely controlled welding system for on-site valve repairs. This system eliminates employee's exposure to welding fumes, falls, and potential ergonomic issues. The company has also recently joined the National Safety Council. Customers are taking notice, and business is better than ever. Riggio's well trained staff is highly sought after in industries, such as power plants, cogeneration plants, refineries, pharmaceutical companies, and hospitals. The company is a National Board certified holder of the "VR" stamp (repair/test of safety valves) along with the "R" stamp (welding).

The combination of these factors demonstrates why Frank D. Riggio Co Inc. is an industry leader and an ideal candidate for the OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). This program recognizes small business employers who have used OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program services and operate an exemplary Safety and Health Program. Acceptance of a worksite into SHARP from OSHA is an achievement of status that singles out a business as a model for worksite safety and health.

Working toward the SHARP Award was a full company effort. Employees were just as committed as management to attaining SHARP. A true sense of pride was exhibited from the top down when Frank D. Riggio Co Inc. received the award in April 2017. During the SHARP presentation ceremony, Scott Lingle expressed his commitment to continuous improvement. "It's easy enough to get an A, but it's not easy to maintain an A average" he stated. Riggio Valve has accepted the challenge and will strive every day to maintain the ideals of the OSHA SHARP award.

Source: Vin Riggio, Frank D. Riggio Co Inc. owner and president