FALCONER - Falconer Electronics was recently recertified into the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program for maintaining a Safety and Health Program among the most-effective in the nation.
Joe Budzich, state Labor Department health auditor, and Paul Songin, state Labor Department safety auditor, completed the recertification. alconer Electronics achieved its initial certification into the program in 2002 and has maintained the certification since. In addition to recognizing the company for having an effective Safety and Health Program, acceptance into the SHARP also grants the company an exemption from routine OSHA inspection that can be renewed annually.
The company was founded in 1984 and incorporated in 1989, when it employed 10 people. Falconer Electronics manufactures circuit boards and electro-mechanical assemblies at a 30,000-square-foot facility at 421 W. Everett St., Falconer. The company's first assembly project was with AT&T and involved the development and production of security and temperature control for telecommunications cabinets. Falconer Electronics works for a number of well-known manufacturers and customers, often as a private label source for various components and complete assemblies. Additionally, the company serves the automotive industry, having worked in partnership with a customer prototyping and then producing the first LED lighting assemblies for heavy duty automotive applications.
Article Photos
Pictured, front row, from left, are Gary Baumann, Jan Jackson and Rose Eggleston. Back row, from left, are Kurt Sturzenbecker, Jarvelle Leeper, Brandon Hawley and Chris Saxton of Safety Compliance Inc.
Since 2003 the company has increased employment from 45 employees to an average of 85 employees and has maintained a retail outlet for several years at 1377 E. Second St., Jamestown.
"We are very happy and proud of our personnel. Over the past six years while participating in the SHARP we have had zero days away from work due to injury. We would like to thank Paul Songin and Joe Budzich from the (state Labor Department) and Rick Shields and Chris Saxton from Safety Compliance for their efforts and support maintaining our certification," said Roger E. Hall, Falconer Electronics founder and president.
Chris Saxton, Safety Compliance account manager, credited continual rotation on the safety committee as an important part of the company's success.
''Many of the best ideas for safety improvement come from the employees themselves,'' said Saxton, who co-chairs the committee.
The Falconer Electronics safety committee, composed of both line and management personnel, meets on a monthly basis and oversees the company's written safety policies, annual employee training sessions, and facility safety inspections. An action plan is drafted at the end of each year outlining the company's monthly goals for the upcoming year.
"Falconer Electronics safety record and recertification achievements are credited to the cooperation of management, committee members and shop personnel all working together to ensure a safe and secure working environment," said Kurt Sturzenbecker, the company's plant manager who also co-chairs the committee.
The company has maintained an accident rate of less than half its industry average over the past eight years.
"I am very proud that Falconer Electronics has once again been recertified into the SHARP. This is the result of all parties involved maintaining a high standard of safety in our work environment and a true team effort," said Gary Baumann, Falconer Electronics safety manager.
The company's certification runs through 2012, when it will be up for renewal.