Spacemen? No, its the new advanced helmets on welders Tom Litz, left and Daniel Unagst, right.

At Solar Technology’s recent 25^th Anniversary party, the Safety Committee was rewarded with a special bonus by the company for their innovative and effective Safety Program.

Chris Rzonca, Safety Chairman, announced that the Experience Modifier for Workman’s Compensation was dropped by 13% for 2016 – meaning that, due to its extremely low number of accidents and incidents, the company’s insurance rate is among the lowest possible for a manufacturer.

In addition, the Safety Program as written and implemented by the SolarTech staff has been certified by the state of Pennsylvania. In the past year, they carried out a Safety Shoe Program with 100% compliance. SolarTech paid a portion towards the cost of Red Wing worker boots, the best-rated shoe for safety factors, for every worker in the shop. The workers got comfortable, dissipative steel-toed work boots at a deep discount. The company also bought welding helmets with powered air purifying respirators. Last year they purchased similar respirators for the paint department.

Welder Daniel Unagst in action.

SolarTech’s insurance agency, Cook Maran Associates, has recommended their Safety Program to other plants, and called it “A model for what a good safety program should be.”

SolarTech is proud of the hard work done by these members of the Safety Committee:

Paul Holben
Jesse Ziegler
Ernest Dickert
Carmen Santiago
Mike O’Donnell
Matt Anderson
Robert Miller
Steve Bower
Brian Kreibel
Matt Clemente
Marvin Keiser
Mike Wimmer
John Clarity
Louise Laba