July / August - Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association

The Minnesota Department of Labor
and Industry administers the Safety Hazard
Abatement Grant, a reimbursement
program, which awards companies in the
state of Minnesota a dollar for dollar match
(up to $10,000) for projects designed to
reduce the risk of injury and illness to their
workers.
Safety grants are awarded to employers
who best satisfy the program’s goals.
Priority is given to companies that create
production jobs in an area or prevent loss
of jobs due to safety concerns. Also,
industries such as industrial machine and
equipment are a current priority.
Top Tool Company, a technologydriven
stamping contract manufacturer
of precision products that specializes
in miniature and micro-miniature
components and assemblies, recently
was awarded a $10,000 safety hazard
abatement grant.
After attending a seminar on press room
safety, Top Tool learned about the OSHA
grant. Subsequently, OSHA provided a free,
one-time consultation to inspect presses
and talk about the OSHA programs.
As part of Top Tool’s continuous
improvement safety program, Joe Lendway,
quality manager at Top Tool, and his safety
committee later identified a press that was
not up to current standards. The company
decided to apply for the OSHA grant.
The process was fairly simple. Top Tool
completed a nine-page application form
identifying the hazard observed and the
recommended abatement. In addition,
Top Tool gathered proposals from
suppliers for the work that was to be
done and completed a safety history.
This preparation took approximately
10-15 hours.
The state then reviewed the
application and sent its approval a
few months later.
The next step for Top Tool was
to make sure it followed what was
proposed in the application. Top
Tool submitted a package of proof of
completion (photos, invoices, etc.).
An onsite visit by the state was an
option.
Top Tool received a $10,000 grant
to upgrade the press controls and add
light curtains, a guarding system and
a die protection system to prevent
catastrophic die failure, which could
result in personal injury. Top Tool had
120 days to complete the project.
After all invoices were paid, the state
reimbursed the company. The total eligible
project costs were $28,100. Top Tool paid
$18,000 and the grant funded $10,000.
In addition to the added safety features
and becoming OSHA compliant, there
are other benefits to participating in this
program. The grant improved the overall
safety environment of the press room. At this
point in time, Top Tool also is saving money
due to the new technology added to the press.
For management, the return on investment is
“peace of mind” provided by improved safety.
These improvements also have increased
employee morale and confidence, knowing
the company is safety conscious.
Lendway would highly recommend the
program to others. He suggests reviewing
their Web site www.doli.state.mn.us/grants.
html. For assistance, feel free to contact
Lendway at JLendway@toptool.com or
(763) 786-0030. PM