Two California businesses awarded MEM safety grants

Two California-based businesses - Burgers' Ozark Country Cured Hams dba Burgers' Smokehouse and Lehman's Construction LLC - were among the 16 companies and corporations awarded the Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM) company's first safety grants to Missouri businesses to help them take the next step toward improving workplace safety.

Burgers' Smokehouse received a $20,000 one-to-one matching grant for the installation of a Grasselli device used to slice hams. Hams are currently sliced using a meat band saw. The entire ham is placed inside the new type of slicer and the ham is sliced without the risk to the operator's hands that a band saw has.

Lehman's Construction received a $17,000 matching grant for components for "Horizontal Lifeline Systems" for bridge work. The purpose of these is to reduce the risk of falls by those doing construction or replacement work on bridges. Since the company was founded in 1997, the company has grown from managing one or two projects, with about five employees, to the current workload of about 18 projects, with about 68 employees. Currently, seven of the projects are bridge-related. This system decreases the time to set up the safety equipment, and allows for easier access while utilizing the safety equipment.

Grant recipients have 120 days to implement the new safety equipment.

All of MEM's nearly 16,000 policyholders, regardless of premium size, are eligible for a safety grant. Successful applicants earn one-to-one matching grants up to $20,000 toward approved safety initiatives. Over the next three years, MEM plans to award policyholders at least $1 million in safety grants. According to the company, far more is possible, if they improve workplace safety as MEM anticipates. Policyholders are required to report on the success of the safety initiatives so MEM can help other businesses learn from their success.

"We know that many businesses - especially those without claims - have a perception that insurance is cutting a check for premiums and never seeing a return," said Jim Owen, MEM president and chief executive officer. "We're changing that perception by continuing to invest in injury prevention with our policyholders. Money back from MEM is yet another way safety pays. We don't want funding to stand in the way of saving lives."

Policyholders can learn more about MEM's safety grant program and how to apply on the website, www.mem-ins.com.

MEM is a safety company that provides workers compensation insurance.