Franklin Plant Shines Light on Safety by Prioritizing National Safety Month

As June ushers in the official start of the summer season, it's essential to acknowledge that this month also marks National Safety Month, a U.S. observance dedicated to highlighting the paramount importance of safety in the workplace. Established by the National Safety Council in 1996, the annual observance aims to address the primary causes of unintentional workplace injuries by promoting a safety-oriented culture.

At Superior Essex, safety isn't just an annual event, it’s a daily commitment deeply ingrained in our operations and all we do, as reflected by our core company value of, "Safety First. Always.” This value isn’t just a slogan we post on our wall; it’s our core guiding principle that influences every aspect of our work and decision-making processes.

In observance of National Safety Month, our Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire plant in Franklin, Tennessee, will dedicate each week in June to a specific safety topic. Our Safety team in Franklin, led by Jacob Dean , Plant Manager, and Lisa Hamilton , Manager of Environmental, Health and Safety have planned a range of weekly activities to educate employees on the following key topics: Emergency Preparedness, Stretching for Injury Prevention, Hazard Prevention, and Heat Stress Awareness. Team members will engage with these topics during their Gemba walks, participate in activities and drills, and receive handouts and first-aid products relevant to each focus area. The objective is to empower every team member with the knowledge and tools needed to work safely and navigate any potential hazards they may encounter in their jobs.

“The activities and topics we’ve selected for National Safety Month are tailored to address critical areas of workplace safety,” says Hamilton. “Emergency preparedness ensures everyone is equipped to respond effectively in a crisis while stretching for injury prevention helps reduce one of our most common workplace injuries. Hazard prevention empowers employees to identify and address potential dangers specific to their job roles, while Heat Stress Awareness is essential for safeguarding our team during the hot summer months.”

To further reinforce that safety is a top priority for every employee in Franklin, the team will also install large banner posters featuring our core value of, "Safety First. Always." These posters will be prominently displayed at the main employee entrance and in the breakroom area within the plant. This visual will serve as a continual reminder of our unwavering commitment to fostering a safe and secure workplace for all team members and will also demonstrate the pivotal responsibility each of us holds in maintaining a safe work environment.

As Franklin observes National Safety Month, it’s crucial to reemphasize the significant responsibility each of us has in ensuring a safe workplace, both locally and beyond. Our commitment to maintaining a robust safety culture hinges on the active engagement and dedication of every employee across our company.

With this in mind, we invite you to share your ideas and suggestions on ways we can improve our safety practices. Your experiences and insights are invaluable in helping us identify potential hazards, devise effective safety protocols, and foster a safer working environment for everyone. Please email any ideas, thoughts, or feedback you may have to our Safety team, or simply leave a comment on this article. Additionally, stay tuned for updates on the diverse activities our Franklin colleagues will participate in each week throughout June. These updates will offer valuable insights and learning opportunities for everyone across the company. Together, let’s keep safety our top priority and make our workplace safer for all.