NAICS Code: 238990, All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Unicover Corporation is a small, family-owned business that started in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1968. The business was founded by James A. Helzer (1946 – 2008) who started his career as an entrepreneur by selling old First Day Covers (a popular way to collect postage stamps) out of his parents' garage during junior high school. For almost half a century, Unicover has built on that First Day Cover business as an innovative manufacturer and marketer of philatelic and numismatic commemoratives, serving tens of thousands of collectors in the North American market. In 1999, Unicover continued its mission to enhance the collector experience by expanding into custom packaging. Today, Unicover is an international company that provides superior custom packaging for clients throughout the world. Specialty examples include the collectible state quarters and presidential dollars for the U.S. Mint. They strive to provide their customers with the finest available custom packaging solutions.

Unicover Corporation began its working relationship with Wyoming OSHA Consultation in 2009 and has been a valued Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) participant for the past 8 years. They are constantly improving their company's health and safety activities, ensuring their employees are provided one of the safest places to work in the state. Safety Health Achievement Recognition Program's recognize businesses that work with OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program services and operate an exemplary injury and illness prevention program. Acceptance into SHARP is an achievement that distinguishes a company among its business peers as a model for workplace safety and health.

Unicover has appreciated the advantages of having fewer injuries and illnesses since working with the OSHA consultants and achieving SHARP. From 2011 through 2016, Unicover's Total Recordable Case rate (TRC) rate was 0.0, and their Days Away from Work, Job Transfer and Restriction (DART) rate was also 0.0.

In comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the national average TRC rate in 2013 for this industry was 2.4; in 2014, it was 2.8; and in 2015, it was 2.4. The BLS national average DART rate in 2013 was 1.3; in 2014, it was 1.8; and in 2015, it was 1.3. (These are the most current years this BLS data are available.)

Participating in SHARP has helped Unicover to work with OSHA to identify and implement best practices to protect the workers, boost worker morale by involving workers in creating a culture that emphasizes a safe and healthful workplace, attract skillful workers looking to join a business that promotes safety and health as a core cultural component, and improve worker retention and reduce costly turnover. The cost savings in reduced workers compensation, insurance premiums and related claims created a competitive advantage in the state and nation in this industry - an indirect benefit of working with consultation. This is exemplified in their Experience Modification Rating (EMR) and savings in Worker's Compensation premiums paid this year. Unicover's current EMR of 0.59, has greatly reduced their Worker's Compensation premiums paid this year, a savings of approximately $15,200.00 compared to others in the NAICS 561910, Packaging and Labeling classification.

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free, confidential safety and occupational health advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations to the company. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. In Wyoming, these services are provided through the Department of Workforce Services, Safety & Health Consultation Program.

For additional information about the OSHA On-site Consultation Program, visit www.osha.gov or 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Source: Katherine Helzer, CEO, Unicover Corporation.