Case Studies

Compass Health & Safety has the expertise to help you overcome your health and safety challenges. The following are actual examples of how we have helped other businesses:

Challenge	Solution and Result
A major manufacturer wanted to reduce its injury rates and costs. An analysis of injury patterns showed that musculo-skeletal disorder (MSD) injuries accounted for over 40% of recordable injuries and $5.5 million per year in worker compensation costs.	Developed and implemented an ergonomics program so the company could be self-sufficient in identifying and fixing jobs with a history of MSD injuries. Reduced recordable MSDs by 50% and workers’ compensation costs by 70% (to less than $1.7 million/year) over the next four years.
At a manufacturing facility, injury and absenteeism rates were high, housekeeping was poor, and employee-management trust levels were low. The company was on the verge of closing the facility. As a last resort, a new management team was installed. The new team wanted to show employees they cared about safety, but were not sure on the leadership behaviors that would create the desired impact.	Developed a comprehensive inventory of supportive management behaviors, identified gaps in the current culture, helped the facility set goals for improvement, and then trained and coached managers. Injury rates declined by 40% in the first year, housekeeping and the culture improved, and the facility remained open as a model for the company.
A facility that used methylene chloride in its process did not have the resources to fully understand nor comply with all applicable OSHA regulations. Employee concerns about potential health effects resulted in OSHA inspections and rigorous scrutiny.	Developed and implemented a complete compliance program, including medical monitoring, respiratory protection, quarterly air sampling, and training. Verified ongoing compliance using statistical analysis of air monitoring results and periodic program audits. The result: no OSHA violations or fines, and improved employee relations.
A corporate office with over 800 employees was having a high rate of employee discomforts and injuries to wrists, arms, and shoulders. In a single year, there were 12 OSHA-recordable ergonomic injuries at personal computer workstations, with thousands of dollars in workers’ compensation costs.	Developed and implemented a facility-wide office ergonomics program that included group training sessions, individual workstation assessments and consultations, and purchase of low-cost desk accessories. Overwhelmingly positive employee feedback, and zero recordable ergonomic injuries in the next calendar year.
Three companies were acquired and merged into a new corporation with 30 facilities. The previous companies had dedicated safety organizations, but the new company did not have a single set of internal safety standards, policies, audit systems, etc. The result was lack of consistency and difficulty in aligning resources to solve problems.	Worked with existing staffers to create a single set of standards, audit processes, performance goals, and an annual safety planning process. Resulted in alignment of resources, teambuilding across multiple cultures, and stronger bench strength across the organization -- all without hiring additional staff.
A manufacturing facility had high noise exposures to over 400 employees. Every year, 15-25% of the workforce suffered an OSHA-defined “Standard Threshold Shift” (STS), despite having implemented a hearing conservation program.	Conducted a comprehensive program assessment to identify possible gaps. Upgraded hearing protection equipment, consistency of usage, and employee training. Immediately reduced the STS rate to less than 4%, where it has remained every year since.
An audit of a major manufacturing facility identified several missing or insufficient OSHA compliance programs.	Programs and training were developed and implemented for topics including machine guarding, lockout-tagout, hazard communication, and personal protective equipment.
Several facilities at a corporation were having a high number of OSHA-recordable injuries, which resulted in corporate level concern about the effectiveness of their safety programs. These facilities were embarrassed and frustrated because they looked worse than other company facilities.	Audited all injury logs and documentation. Discovered that managers did not understand the OSHA recordkeeping rules and were logging many non-recordable injuries. Corrected the OSHA Logs, resulting in 40% fewer recordable injuries. Developed and delivered written guidelines and training for facility personnel, including self-test case studies.

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Case Studies

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Solution and Result

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