Gerdau Ameristeel is a Two-Time Winner of Humantech Award

12/04/2008

Good things are happening, ergonomically speaking, at Gerdau Ameristeel's Charlotte, North Carolina facility. For the second year in a row, the mill has won Humantech's Find It - Fix It Challenge, which recognizes and rewards simple and effective workplace solutions that result in increased productivity, improved worker morale, and fewer workplace injuries.

(L to R, Casimiro Liborio, Vice President & General Manager and Monica Workman, Health & Safety Manager of Gerdau Ameristeel in Charlotte receive their award from Humantech Consultant Jeff Sanford)

This year's winning entry involved the company's in-house design and build of a new brick chute used to reline ladles. The fix not only eliminates heavy lifting, bending and twisting, but saves 12 man hours per week. "The device is saving backs, shoulders and time spent on this job," says Matt Moore, Corporate Safety Director. He added,"The device will not only benefit our company for many years to come, it also holds promise for many others in the steel industry." Gerdau Ameristeel has a patent pending on the device.

Congratulations to Gerdau Ameristeel and to all of the 72 entries!