Tecton Products LLC of Fargo, N.D., has announced that it has earned North Dakota's first OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation. This achievement recognizes companies who demonstrate an exemplary safety and health management program.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for Tecton Products," Governor John Hoeven said. "In completing the SHARP designation process, Tecton Products has proven their dedication to the health and safety of their employees."

Tecton began the voluntary process with a comprehensive site audit conducted by North Dakota's Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program.
"Tecton Products has a top quality safety program. They have met all OSHA requirements, have maintained a low injury rate, are committed to safety throughout all levels of the company, have written safety programs, and have passed an in-depth health and safety audit," said Al Koch, the consultation program manager and works with companies in North Dakota whose industries typically have high hazards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program reviewed Tecton's total injury rates and time away from work records for the last three years, and Tecton was below the national average for its industry.

To qualify for SHARP, companies must undergo a comprehensive audit, correct all identified hazards, demonstrate that effective safety and health programs are in place, and maintain injury rates below the national average for their industry for the last three years.

Tecton operates a manufacturing facility that operates 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. It has gone two years without having an injury that required time away from work.

"Achieving SHARP status is due to all of our associates working hard and making safety a priority. Our behavior based safety program has all of us looking out for each other," says John Jambois, president of Tecton Products.

"Safety is a part of our culture. It comes from attitude and actions. Our associates begin safety training on their first day. The process never stops," explains Tom Gohdes, director of operations.