Lagina Plumbing Again Raises Bar on Safety Training

July 18, 2008 -- Lagina Plumbing has reached a new high in safety training, with the entire workforce now holding what is commonly referred to as an OSHA 10 card.

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.

“To the best of my knowledge, there is no plumbing contractor in southeastern Wisconsin that has taken on and completed the OSHA 10-hour materials with an entire workforce,” said Jim Lagina, president of the commercial plumbing company. All of the field workforce along with the office project management staff, shop operations and delivery drivers completed the training.

Sessions covered a variety of safety topics, including excavations, fall protection, scaffolding, electricity, fire hazards, vehicles, material handling and others.

Training was conducted by Lynn Litt, a loss prevention consultant with West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. who noted Lagina Plumbing’s commitment to safety.

“Jim Lagina and his management team are very proactive in the area of safety,” Litt said. “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.”

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.”

Lagina said the commitment to safety will continue with ongoing training.

“Everyone wins when we all focus on safety,” he said.

About Lagina Plumbing:

Southeastern Wisconsin construction and development companies rely on Lagina Plumbing for innovative, top-notch commercial plumbing service provided on time. Lagina Plumbing is the resource for plumbing for new construction, renovations or upgrades, and is highly skilled at overcoming permitting challenges. Along with highly experienced plumbers and staff, Lagina Plumbing employs the latest in technology, including site tools such as Total Station technology, 3D Auto-CAD, and advanced pre-fabrication in a state-of-the-art facility. And Lagina Plumbing can help contractors obtain LEED points when building "green" due to the company’s thorough knowledge of products and practices that qualify for LEED. General contractors, building owners and developers benefit from the “Lagina Approach” that gets projects done more efficiently and quickly without sacrificing quality.

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Contact = Jim Lagina, Lagina Plumbing, 414-645-7527

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