Marsh Bellofram to be recognized for safety at ARPM conference

NEWELL, W.Va.—Workplace safety remains one of the highest priorities for the manufacturing industry, and recognizing injury-free production can sometimes fall by the wayside.

The Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers is one avenue by which companies like the Newell-based Marsh Bellofram Corp. are highlighted for their consistent policies.

Marsh Bellofram will be recognized by ARPM for its "Best Safety Practices" at the non-profit group's Environmental, Health and Safety Summit in Columbus, Ohio, May 25.

Jonathon Monfredi, manager of environmental, health, and safety at Marsh Bellofram, said the culture starts with the safety committee.

"The committee begins with a broad, overarching view of operations, seeks to engineer away hazards, and then drills down to daily practices that, when given adjustment or focus, can improve safety," Monfredi said. "Each safety committee member is given a monthly assignment to conduct individual audits in their work area and help with monthly safety initiatives.

"By conducting focus inspections in each department, we're able to identify potential safety issues that we otherwise may not have. It has helped improve our overall safety culture."

The ARPM safety awards are issued to companies that have achieved "excellent safety techniques that go beyond adherence to regulations."

The awards are based on OSHA work-related injuries, illness statistics and best practices.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last year that fatal workplace injuries rose 9 percent between 2020 and 2021, the last year for reporting by the agency.

"Workplace safety remains a concern for all businesses, particularly in manufacturing, where humans and machines often work in close contact,"ARPM said in May 15 release. "Recognition like this from ARPM is a reward for past accomplishments, but also serves as a reminder to be ever vigilant."

Marsh Bellofram has 13 separate divisions focused on high-performance OEM, industrial and process control instrumentation as well as elastomers, including diaphragms and specialty silicones.

The company is an AS9100D and ISO9001:2015-certified global manufacturing collective.

The vast majority of Bellofram's silicone sales are to converters, but the West Virginia firm does provide some finished products.

The company also provides converting to some existing customers, but does not compete with its converter customers.

For more information about the 2023 ARPM EHS Summit and safety awards, visit www.arpminc.com/ehs.