Left to right standing, Leslie Weber; Danelle Turney; Amy Delcamp, Trinity Biotech safety coordinator; Vicki Kestler; Rae Jones; Jenna Johnson; Delcie Kestner; and, seated in front, Tim Songin, Safety Compliance Inc. account manager; who are recognizing Trinity Biotech’s recertification into the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program. Submitted photo

The Jamestown facility of Trinity Biotech USA was recently recertified into the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program, also known as SHARP, for maintaining a highly-effective safety and health program.

The company has maintained its certification in the program since its initial certification in 2001. The initial certification and subsequent recertifications involved a three-way effort between the state Department of Labor, Trinity Biotech USA and Safety Compliance Inc.

Paul Songin, state Department of Labor safety and health consultant, and Joe Budzich, industrial hygienist, completed the recertification. In addition to recognizing the company for having a highly effective safety and health program, acceptance into SHARP also grants the company a two-year exemption from routine OSHA inspection that can be renewed.

Formed in 1992, Trinity Biotech is a publicly held company that has expanded through a combination of internal and acquisition-led growth with manufacturing facilities in Jamestown; Bray, Ireland; Carlsbad, Calif.; Acton, Mass.; and Kansas City, Mo.; and Buffalo.

The company specializes in the development, manufacturing and marketing of diagnostic test kits. The test kits manufactured by Trinity Biotech are used in the clinical laboratory and point-of-care segments of the diagnostic market to detect infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, autoimmune disorders and in the detection, monitoring and controlling of diabetes.

”As a manufacturer of medical devices, maintaining compliance with OSHA regulations is one of the components in achieving our company’s quality objectives,” said Bonnie DeJoy, Trinity Biotech’s corporate vice president of regulatory affairs.

The company’s initial acceptance into the program in 2001 marked the first time the certification was achieved in Chautauqua County. For the biotech company, the initial and ongoing results were accomplished through the development of a joint labor/management safety committee.

”All of our employees participate in a proactive role to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. We are all conscious of our surroundings and potential hazards and incorporate this awareness into our everyday duties. I am proud to say we maintain a safe environment and continuously strive for improvement,” said Amy Delcamp, Trinity Biotech safety coordinator.

Tim Songin of Safety Compliance Inc. works with the company’s safety committee on an ongoing basis completing training, facility inspections and chairing safety committee meetings. An action plan incorporating employee feedback and state Department of Labor survey data is drafted annually to help guide these efforts.

”It is my pleasure to assist with the safety program at Trinity Biotech. All of those involved continue to strive towards a safe and healthy work environment for all employees,” Songin said.

Employing more than 570 people, Trinity Biotech markets more than 400 products to customers in 110 countries around the world. Trinity Biotech is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol TRIB.