NAICS: 326199, Plastic Extrusion Manufacturing

Number of Employees: 70

Spiratex specializes in custom extrusion, manufacturing plastic parts for a variety of industries such as automotive, material handling, geophysical, military and defense, and wire and cable. After the company conducted a noise survey, it determined that noise monitoring was necessary to determine if they needed a hearing conservation program. The company contacted Michigan OSHA (MIOSHA) On-Site Consultation.

MIOSHA Consultation conducted its first visit in April of 2015. In addition to a full service visit, the consultants conducted noise sampling. The consultants identified hazards such as missing nozzles on air guns, confined spaces without proper identification, and inadequate machine guarding. The company corrected all hazards and was able to develop and implement a successful hearing conservation program that reduced employees’ noise exposure below the action level of 85 decibels (dBA) specified in OSHA’s occupational noise exposure standard.

Spiratex employees learned to identify and communicate safety hazards, and managers and supervisors became more receptive to listening to employees’ concerns. The company increased employee participation in its safety audit program and used safety incidents and near misses to focus efforts in risk reduction.

Following a review by MIOSHA of the company’s OSHA logs from 2012 to 2015 and its safety and health program, the company worked to steadily implement all elements of its safety and health program and reduce the total recordable case rate (TRC) and days away, restricted, and/or transfer rate (DART). In three years, Spiratex was able to reduce these rates down to zero in 2018 and 2019. The company attributes most of its success to identifying possible safety hazards and eliminating or reducing risk.

Spiratex earned recognition in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) in April of 2020. SHARP acknowledges small and medium-sized businesses that have used OSHA On-Site Consultation Program services and operate exemplary workplace safety and health programs. Small businesses that achieve SHARP status receive a deferral from OSHA or the State Plan programmed inspections for the period that the SHARP designation is valid. Acceptance of a worksite into SHARP is an achievement that identifies the employer as a model for occupational safety and health among its business peers.

Companies interested in SHARP can contact their local OSHA On-Site Consultation program to discuss details and schedule an on-site safety and health evaluation. To locate the On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.