Back to Knoll Environment
The Knoll 8
1. Protection of the Biosphere
2. Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
3. Waste Reduction and Disposal
4. Conservation
5. Risk Reduction
6. Safe Products and Services
7. Environmental Restoration
8. Informing the Public
Downloads
Products
Our Journey
|
 |
5. Risk Reduction
We will strive to minimize the environmental health and safety risks to our associates and the communities in which we operate through safe technologies, sound transportation practices, safe facilities and operating procedures, and preparing for emergencies.
We will design our processes to prevent injury to the health and welfare of Knoll associates, the community and the environment.
- • Knoll facilities overall incident rate in 2007 was 3.29, which is 54% below the industry average.
- In 2007, the Grand Rapids facilities posted an incidence rate of 2.71, the lowest in its history.
- • The Grand Rapids facilities installed new woodworking machines that eliminate potentially injurious manual operations requiring power tools. No jobs were lost in the transition as workers were retrained to operate new equipment.
- • The Muskegon facility introduced cut-resistant sleeves made of Dyneema™ thread, a material 10 times stronger than Kevlar, to reduce lacerations in workers who handle raw steel.
- • In 2007, the Muskegon facility made ergonomic improvements, including the installation of height adjustment lifts on trim lines, a hydraulic lift to eliminate manual lifting of finished boxes and new shelving that reduces worker bending and twisting. And it implemented use of an Ergo Wheel by plant engineers that provides guidelines for maximum frequent arm elevation, enabling adjustment of processes to meet needs of the largest number of workers on the floor.
- • The East Greenville facility made ergonomic improvements, including installation of a lift developed by the auto industry for taking chairs from conveyor to box; scissor-lift tables that bring raw materials into the worker’s “neutral zone;” special tables and screw guns developed by in-house engineers; and a “Meg Liner” for the paint line that moves heavy raw materials onto the production floor, reducing the need for heavy lifting and carrying.
We will develop and implement health and safety policies and programs to help prevent injury and illnesses to our associates.
- • The Muskegon facility instituted a new Incidence Prevention Guide and trained supervisors in working with employees to identify safety risks.
- • In 2007, the Muskegon facility improved a conveyor system to eliminate the need for walking on conveyors, implemented a vice system to hold boards for stapling to reduce staple injuries, and reengineered a hook on the paint line to protect against lacerations and reduce weight loads. A weight reduction of 4 pounds per hook resulted in an average of 1600 fewer pounds handled per shift.
- • The East Greenville and Grand Rapids facilities conducted continuous ergonomic reviews at workstations under the Knoll Employee Health and Safety Analysis program. This practice identifies how work processes might be redesigned and what additional working aids are required.
- • In 2007, Knoll continued to offer a voluntary stretching program that includes instruction and 10 minutes of free time at the start of each shift for stretching exercises. East Greenville instituted a program for “micro stretching” on the job, employing techniques similar to those used by golfers and drivers.
- • Grand Rapids instituted a program called “Exercise Bucks” as a complement to “Safety Bucks.” Employees are rewarded for participating in exercise programs in health clubs and gyms with credits they can use to purchase items such as tee shirts and mugs.
We will develop and implement health and wellness awareness and illness prevention programs.
- • Knoll manufacturing facilities continued the hearing conservation program, which includes testing of all workers in in-house hearing booths with physician review of test results, provision of hearing protection and education.
- • In 2007, Knoll provided free flu shots to associates and their families. Additional nurses were brought in to administer the program.
- • The Knoll East Greenville and Muskegon facilities conducted successful blood drives.
- • The Grand Rapids facility creates and distributes a monthly newsletter containing safety and health/medical tips.
We will design and develop training programs to provide Knoll associates with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill the objectives of the
Environmental, Health and Safety Plan.
- • In 2007, Knoll U.S. facilities conducted regular safety meetings, showed safety videos, trained volunteer safety observers and created safety posters and newsletters.
- • Knoll facilities continued to train employee First Responder volunteers in CPR and first aid.
- • In 2007, Knoll EHS teams reviewed procedures for ISO/OSHA compliance and, using best practices from the various facilities, wrote uniform procedures for use in all facilities.
|
