Rockline Industries’ Springdale plant recognized by labor department for safety milestone

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) 321 views 

The Springdale manufacturing facility of Wisconsin-based Rockline Industries has been recognized by the Arkansas Department of Labor for workplace safety.

Rockline, a manufacturer of wet wipes and coffee filters, has achieved eight million safe work hours without a lost time accident, a milestone achieved only 10 other times since Arkansas began recognizing workplace safety in 1976.

“We’re incredibly proud of our associates,” Joel Slank, general manager of the Springdale location, said in a news release. “Working together, over an extended period of time, we have created and supported a culture that puts people and product safety before any other manufacturing metrics. Our associates’ ability to see and support this each and every day made this milestone possible.”

Rockline attributes its safety record to a behavioral-based safety program, according to the release, which trains employees to observe work tasks and to provide immediate safety feedback to those involved. Associates are responsible and accountable to themselves and for the safety of teammates around them.

The program also encourages associates to constantly look for and provide documented opportunities to improve their work areas and practices to make their work environment even safer.

The award from the labor department’s Occupational Safety and Health Division is part of Arkansas’ overall educational program to encourage workplace safety by honoring companies whose employees have accumulated a significant number of work hours without a lost day away from work due to a work-related injury or illness.

“I am very proud of the teamwork that all of our associates display each day when it comes to the safety of themselves and others,” said Mark Fougerousse, environmental, health and safety manager of the Springdale plant. “Excellence is often pursued but rarely captured, and our team’s unwavering dedication to a higher level of safety and commitment to do the right thing 24/7 has led to this remarkable achievement.”