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| Rehrig Pacific employees spelled out "SHARP" in plastic milk crates that the company produces to commemorate the award luncheon. |
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. - The Wisconsin OSHA Health Consultation Program at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene recently helped honor Rehrig Pacific Company of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., for achieving the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
"The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene is pleased to help honor Wisconsin's 10th SHARP honoree today," said WSLH Director Ronald H. Laessig, Ph.D. "Rehrig Pacific and its employees now join an elite group of companies in our State that set the bar for safe and healthy work environments."
Representing the WSLH, OSHA Health Consultation Program Manager Terry Moen and Environmental Health Specialist Kim Dietz both attended the award ceremony on March 8 celebrating the Pleasant Prairie company's achievement.
Moen and Dietz joined local and regional OSHA professionals, as well as Gregory Jones of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and Pleasant Prairie Village Administrator Mike Pollocoff to give Rehrig Pacific President Will Rehrig, Corporate Safety Director Terry Scopel and Pleasant Prairie Plant Manager Adam Santa and employees a plaque and banner commemorating the SHARP award at the company's award luncheon.
In honor of the SHARP ceremony, Rehrig-Pacific's staff spelled out "SHARP" in large letters made out of yellow plastic milk crates surrounded by black plastic milk crates. It made quite a visual backdrop for the plaque and banner presentation.
The voluntary OSHA Consultation Program is jointly administered by the Wisconsin Safety Consultation (WiSCon) Program at the Department of Commerce and the Wisconsin Health Consultation Program at the WSLH. Part of the OSHA Consultation Program, SHARP honors small and medium employers that operate top safety and health management systems, while also maintaining an injury and illness rate below the national average for their industry.
The privately-owned company, now led by the fourth generation of the Rehrig family, is the world's largest manufacturer of returnable plastic crates and pallets for handling and transporting food and beverage products. The Rehrig Pacific Company has continuously operated under family management and current President Will Rehrig is the great grandson of the original owner.
The Rehrig Pacific Company was established in 1913 as a manufacturer of wooden milk crates and battery boxes, then moved into metal manufacturing with a change to metal wire crates in the 1930s. Three decades later, the company entered into the plastics industry with injection molding of milk crates and other products. Much of the current product lines are manufactured from predominately recycled plastic. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., with over 850 employees across the corporation. The Pleasant Prairie plant moved from Gurnee, Ill., to its current location just outside of Kenosha, Wis., in 1995 and has 53 employees.
Rehrig Pacific met SHARP program requirements by requesting a full-service visit from both the Wisconsin Safety and Health Consultation Programs and correcting all identified hazards to safety and health. Rehrig Pacific also implemented and maintains an active safety and health management system that includes the broad categories of management commitment, employee involvement, hazard identification and control, and training and evaluation. This SHARP honor is one of just 12 in Wisconsin, 60 in OSHA Region V and just over 900 nationwide.
As part of the OSHA Consultation Program, the staff of the Wisconsin Health Consultation Program provides free assistance to employers to establish and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. Consultants conduct on-site monitoring for chemical, biological, radiological, and physical hazards; perform ergonomic evaluation; assess the employer's safety and health programs; and present occupational health-related training.
Pictured L-R: (Holding Banner) Rehrig Pacific Quality, Safety and Lean Manager Pete Rohlman, OSHA Region V Representative Barry Glashagel, Rehrig Pacific Plant Manager Adam Santa, WSLH OSHA Health Consultation Program Manager Terry Moen and WSLH OSHA Health Consultation Environmental Health Specialist Kim Dietz (both standing to right of banner).
OSHA Region V Representative Sukhvir Kaur presents Rehrig Pacific Company President Will Rehrig with an honorary SHARP plaque. WSLH OSHA Health Consultation Environmental Specialist Kim Dietz (left, behind Rehrig) and Rehrig Pacific Pleasant Prairie Plant Manager Adam Santa (far left) both look on.
Written By and Photos By: Jessica D. Burda, WSLH Communications Specialist Date: March 10, 2006 Related Links: Related Stories:
