A comprehensive safety program can have far-reaching impacts. At Milliken, when we prioritize a culture of safety, we know we are protecting not only our associates but caring for their families as well. We can see this safety emphasis then spread to our communities through both the influence and actions of our associates and their families.
Our work in caring for our communities takes a more tangible form through our community training initiatives. From internal trainings to our serving as auditors for the OSHA VPP Program, sharing our knowledge to help enhance the safety cultures of other organizations is a vital component in giving back to our community. Recently, associates at our Dewey Plant took this initiative a step further by participating in a South Carolina OSHA program.
This program, which provides OSHA 10 training to juniors and seniors at local career and technology centers, is the first initiative of its kind in the U.S. OSHA 10 is real-life, applicable training that students are able to carry with them into their professional careers. It is a worthwhile training, but it also is helpful in impressing upon students the importance of safety procedures and protocols.
Over five days, 17 Dewey associates trained students at the Swofford Career Center. These students, who come from carpentry, electricity, welding and machine tool technology backgrounds, learned about a variety of safety topics from proper materials handling to using personal protective equipment. Milliken Dewey associates led the entire training, which allowed them to share their own experiences while seeing concepts ‘click’ with students. Utilizing hands-on examples, these associates were able to relate important manufacturing safety concepts in a way that resonated with students.
For Milliken associate Michael Holt, the training brought things full circle: “As a graduate of Swofford Career Center’s electrical program, I benefitted greatly from the center’s curriculum. To be able to come back and provide important workplace safety training to the next generation really meant a lot to me. So much so that I signed up to take another day of training after completing my initial portion.”
Through programs like these, Milliken associates can help pay it forward, sharing what we have learned over the course of our company history with the next generation. A safer community is a stronger community, and we are proud to play a small role in furthering this in the Upstate.
Special thanks to the Dewey associates who led this training: Vince Bell, Thomas Howard, Michael Holt, Reggie Joyner, Rashad Green, Jennifer Reid, Gabe Boyd, Gary Ivy, Jacob Howard, Clint Hoover, Mike Brannon, Stephen Verdell, Steve Blackwell, Aimee Davis, Donovan Belue, Rickey Gilbert, Michelle Bagwell
