Lagina Plumbing Unsurpassed on Safety

Safety is part of the culture at Lagina Plumbing in Milwaukee -- so much so that the commercial plumbing company's multi-year record of no job-loss injuries has been recognized by the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee.

“The results of our injury/illness survey only proved how dedicated your firm is to safety, and we feel you should be recognized for your accomplishments,” said Daniel Burazin, the AGC Greater Milwaukee safety director.

The AGC-GM awarded Lagina Plumbing The “Perfect Safety Award” for 2008, based on the company’s continuing commitment to safety. Company President Jim Lagina believes safety and Worker’s Compensation issues should be managed and not just monitored. That policy, along with the staff’s continuing safe working practices, have contributed to annual reductions in Lagina Plumbing’s Worker’s Compensation insurance rates.

Lagina Plumbing was the only Milwaukee-area commercial plumbing company to earn the Perfect Safety Award for 2008.

Each Plumber Has OSHA 10 Card

As part of the safety education program, each of the company’s plumbers has earned an OSHA 10 card, reflecting 10 hours of safety training. The cards signify that the employees have received 10 hours of safety training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines. While general contractors are starting to require subcontractor employees to hold OSHA 10 cards, it is not common for a subcontractor’s entire workforce to be trained.

As of the fall, 2009, the company has gone five years without a job-loss injury.

Proactive on Safety

“Jim Lagina and his management team are very proactive in the area of safety,” said Lynn Litt, a loss prevention consultant with West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. who helped the company in safety training. “They are constantly seeking ways to improve safety for their employees – not only at the job site but in the shop, too. The safety bar is always being raised at Lagina Plumbing,” he added.

Lagina Plumbing has seen its Worker’s Compensation rates drop the last several years due to its commitment to safety and the resulting lack of loss-time injuries. The rate is well below the industry base level.

"Their philosophy is not to just meet the required safety standards but to exceed them,” Litt said. “Jim is always open to suggestions as well as control measures utilized by other trades that have proved to provide a safer work environment.”

Training is Effective

He said such safety training is very effective at reducing job site accidents.

“When an employee utilizes the various skills learned during safety training, he or she is able to identify and control the hazards that are encountered in the workplace,” Litt said. “Thus, the potential for a loss-injury, property damage, etc. is greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Fewer losses ultimately translate into lower insurance costs. Studies have shown that for every $1 invested in safety, there is a return of $3 to $6. Results also suggest that companies that implement effective safety and health programs can expect reductions of over 20% in illness and injury rates. Quality safety training helps to reduce turnover and errors as well as improve efficiency and morale.”

Jim Lagina also credited his workforce for taking safety seriously.

“Our mod rate, which is significantly below the industry base, is a real testimony to the quality of our workforce,” Lagina said. “They are not only great plumbers, they are smart workers. The fact that we’ve gone four and one-half years without a lost-time injury is incredible.”