TROY, Mich.—Dayco Products L.L.C.'s Springdale, Ark., tensioner manufacturing facility and technical center has surpassed the 1 million work hours without a lost time accident mark, an achievement last met at the site in March 2011.
More than 170 workers at the plant and technical center formed an active safety committee, conducted monthly training sessions and featured weekly pre-shift safety talks in an effort to improve safety at the facility. They also conduct an annual Safety Awareness Week that helps elevate the safety program.
Their efforts established the mindset that safety is never only one person's responsibility, but is shared among everyone in the organization, the company said.
“The people of Dayco's Springdale plant and technical center can be very proud of their environment and safety records,” Robert Crist, vice president of North American operations for Dayco, said in a statment. “To achieve the 1 million hour milestone requires commitment, teamwork and great attention to detail in every activity.”
Dayco started its belt tensioner plant in Fayetteville, Ark., in August 1985 in partnership with the University of Arkansas. The facility grew rapidly, and by August 1986, it was making its first shipments of belt tensioners to automotive and industrial vehicle and equipment manufacturers.
After several expansions and moves, Dayco opened the 100,000-sq.-ft. Springdale plant in July 2000 to replace its smaller previous factory. The 35,000-sq.-ft. technical center—which handles research and development along with advanced engineering testing to support the firm's global business—was opened in 2007.