2023 Poka Yoke Recognition Winners
One hundred and sixty-two poka yokes were submitted and our winners are…
A few years ago, we introduced the term poka yoke and challenged employees to look for, report and offer solutions to potential hazards within their division – then, putting the Safety improvement and risk reduction effort (the poka yoke) into action by implementing the solution. Now, many of our divisions are regularly completing poka yokes and making this risk reduction effort an important part of their everyday processes.
In the past year (November 18 to November 10) one hundred and sixty-two (162) poka yokes were submitted! With so many incredible entries, it was difficult to narrow down the submissions. After careful consideration in the two judging categories, innovation and impact, our winners are:
Most Impactful Poka Yokes
- FIRST PLACE: Integrity Stainless – Latrobe, PA
Jimmy Fullem, Production Lead
Pat Hrabic, Plant Manager
Jamey McGinnis, Maintenance
- SECOND PLACE: Berlin Metals – Hammond, IN
Florencio Garza, Maintenance Department Lead
- HONORABLE MENTION: Olympic Steel – Gary, IN
Mike Burlingham, Operations Manager
Kevin Keesler, Plant Manager
Bob Ashley, Maintenance Manager
Ashley Cook, Traffic Supervisor
Mark Long, Production Lead
- HONORABLE MENTION: Berlin Metals – Hammond, IN
Bell for Traffic in Maintenance Crib
Florencio Garza, Maintenance Department Lead
Most Innovative Poka Yokes
- FIRST PLACE: McCullough Industries – Kenton, OH
John Wilson, Welder
- SECOND PLACE: Integrity Stainless – Streetsboro, OH
Mitchell Kline, Slitter Operator
Randy DiBacco, Maintenance Tech
- HONORABLE MENTION: Olympic Steel – Bettendorf, IA
Crane Light to Identify Load Placement
Mark Callan, Maintenance Manager
Brandon Knorrek, Maintenance Tech
- HONORABLE MENTION: Olympic Steel – Bettendorf, IA
Mark Callan, Maintenance Manager
Bruce Hull, Maintenance Tech
Brandon Knorrek, Maintenance Tech
Clayton Spinler, Maintenance Tech
Thanks to All Participants
Identifying poka yokes gives everyone a chance to create smart, safe solutions to identified risks. In 2023, we increased our poka yoke submissions from 150 to 162 when comparing the total number of poka yokes eligible for annual recognition. Thank you to everyone who shared their safety improvement and risk reduction ideas this year – your efforts are helping others put Safety First. Always.
Questions?
For questions about poka yokes or how to implement process improvement ideas, please reach out to your local Safety Representative or William Schuster, Regional Safety, Health and Environment Manager, at Bill.Schuster@olysteel.com.
Safety First. Always. And, it starts with me.
