Tempel Steel receives FMA safety award

ELGIN - The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International and CNA awarded Tempel Steel of Chicago with the 2019 Rusty Demeules Award for Safety Excellence.

The award is presented annually by FMA, sponsored by CNA, and created by FMA's Safety Council to recognize a company with a demonstrated safety culture. The award is named in honor of Rusty Demeules, a volunteer contributor who made significant contributions to FMA while serving as the president of its Safety Committee from its inception in 1989 until 1996.

Tempel Steel manufactures magnetic steel laminations used in electric motor applications and transformer cores. In its operation, steel coils are slit and punched using mechanical presses varying from 25 to 400 tons. The company's safety program involves an active committee, which has monthly meetings. Weekly safety training involves talks conducted at every department, using training and informational materials. Management is committed to demonstrate safe work behavior and to lead by example. Specialized trainings include lockout/tagout, First Aid and CPR, OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour outreach program, forklift truck operator, crane operator, and arc flash protection.

"Their dedication to safety is evident from their regular safety meetings and trainings to the management participation in their program," said Edward Youdell, president and chief executive officer of FMA.