Washington - Stockton Steel, a subsidiary of Herrick Corporation and one of the largest steel fabricators in the country, celebrates an impressive milestone. The company reached 4.5 million work hours, over 3000 days, free of lost-time incidents. The company marked the impressive milestone with a celebratory barbecue last Friday.

Stockton Steel’s Corporate Safety Manager Tom Davies credits the achievement to effectiveness of the company’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program and culture of safety. “We work hard with our workforce to create a culture of safety, where everyone looks out for themselves and others,” said Davies. “Our philosophy is one of continual improvement. Our safety commitment is backed by strong organizational policies, procedures and incentives to ensure all employees have a safe and healthy workplace. Our workforce is our greatest asset.”

Stockton Steel’s safety committee meets monthly and the company conducts weekly safety training and meetings as well as regular special training for overhead cranes, rigging, fall protection and forklift safety. Its Code of Safety Practices serves as a guide for high-risk work activities to prevent injuries.

Stockton Steel employs around 150 workers from various trades. The employees are encouraged to suggest safety improvements and take an active role in managing safety in the workplace. “We have empowered all employees with the ability to stop work when they recognize a safety issue and address it,” said CEO of Herrick Corporation Doug Griffin. “When you have employees, who feel free to point out hazards and prevent injuries, you know you have succeeded in creating a culture of safety.”

Stockton Steel is one of Iron Workers’ (IW) partner contractors. The IW is proud of its skilled, safety-conscious ironworkers who made this achievement possible. The ironworkers contributed over 3.5 million incident-free work hours to Stockton Steel’s outstanding accomplishment. Considering the highly hazardous nature of the ironworking trade, it is an exceptional contribution.

“The great relationship between the employer and workers and the safety committee comprised of representatives from both made it possible,” said IW District Representative Erik Schmidli.

Stockton Steel looks forward to growing its culture of safety and many more days free of incidents.