Zumbiel Packaging Logs Million Hours without Lost Time Accident

Zumbiel Packaging, Hebron, Ky., USA, an independent paperboard packaging company with a 170-year history in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, this week announced that it has gone more than 1 million hours without a lost time accident, and more than a quarter million hours without any type of injury. The company celebrated these milestones with logo shirts, lunch, and prize drawings for the associates who made the achievement happen.

"Safety is a priority from the top down—everyone works collectively to make the organization a showcase for safety. I know that’s a cliché, but we really try to be proactive instead of reactive. We do this through safety teams on each shift, our safety audits and Gemba walkthroughs," said Ron Merkle, safety and training manager. "We also have safety improvement forms available for all employees, and our doors are always open for any issue or concern. We have monthly safety meetings where topics, issues, and concerns are discussed and safe practices are taught."

Positive reinforcement and education are both used to keep safety top of mind. Quarterly bonuses are awarded for meeting safety-related Key Performance Indicators.

Zumbiel's goal of providing a safe and healthy work environment extends beyond workplace safety to its in-house wellness program, which includes flu and hepatitis shots, biometric screenings, and "Biggest Loser" contests along with wellness education programs. Additionally, 45 employees have been trained and certified in CPR, first aid, and automated external defibrillator use.

"When a piece of equipment breaks, you can get another just like it—but when a human being gets hurt, you simply can't measure the loss to the person or his/her family," said Mark Barton, plant manager. "Technical training and soft skill training come together to create well-rounded, safe employees. It all fits together, and it shows in the results."

Zumbiel Packaging is a 170 year-old family-owned company that makes sustainable paperboard packaging for the beverage, food, consumer products, healthcare, and automotive industries. Zumbiel holds FSC and SFI chain-of-custody certificates.