Valspar Corporation: "Valspar's Total Safety Process"

CASE STUDY - 2003 Salute to Home Safety Excellence Award Winner

Award Overview:

The 2003 Salute to Home Safety Excellence Award was given to Valspar Corporation for its "Total Safety Process" safety program.

The Minneapolis-based Valspar Corporation has made injury prevention on- and off-the-job a way of life for its employees. Valspar believes that changing behavior, improving skills, methods and processes will ultimately lead to the elimination of injuries and preventable incidents and take the company to industry leadership with its total safety process.

In 2001, Valspar expanded its safety program to include an element of off-the-job safety. A corporate steering committee acts as a resource on design, implementation and monitoring of the program.

"This award is designed to applaud companies who understand the importance of home safety education and awareness and have made a corporate commitment to spread the home safety message to their employees and their communities," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "Valspar has done an exemplary job of making safety a part of the corporate culture so that employees have safety on their minds at work and at home, which is exactly the type of commitment we need to help turn around our nation's home injury problem."

Program Overview

Examples of Valspar's current safety programs:

• Daily Safety Huddles: 40% of the topics discussed in these employee gatherings are focused on off-the-job safety and wellness.
• Safety Newsletters: Monthly publication features tips and suggestions for improving its employees' home safety habits.
• Holiday Safety: Valspar conducts seasonal informational meetings that highlight such home safety issues as Halloween and the installation of holiday lights.
• Fire Extinguishers: Valspar sells fire extinguishers at a reduced price to its employees.
• Testing Kits: The company offers radon testing kits to its employees for use in their homes
• Smoke Alarm Batteries: Valspar sends batteries to its employees' homes and reminds them to test their smoke alarms in order to make sure the devices are functioning properly.
• Safety Training Classes: Valspar offers safety seminars in fire extinguisher use, electrical safety, safe storage and stacking, ladder safety, proper use of tools and the safe storage of chemicals.