Ralph Bechtold (AES) received a Gold Spot Award in January 2017 for improving safe lifting practices during the installation and removal of equipment, weighing 100 pounds each and located in a tight, awkward space.
Bechtold was working on a project in which 100-pound RF tuners needed to be removed from a relatively tight space. Due to the constricted work environment, the units could not be lifted with conventional rigging equipment—they had to be lifted manually. The space limitations would also require the technicians to use awkward body positioning. When Bechtold realized that this operation would result in poor ergonomic positions for the technicians, he developed a lifting mechanism to assist them in lifting and removing the units so minimal manual lifting was required.
Bechtold’s identification of a potentially hazardous situation and efforts to prevent injury and improve work practices helped keep colleagues safe.
Spot Awards give employees “on-the-spot” recognition for positive safety or quality assurance initiative. The Spot Award program offers three award levels: gold ($100), silver ($50) and bronze ($25).
If you see an employee exhibiting behavior that warrants positive recognition (e.g., safe behavior or process improvements), you can nominate that individual for a Spot Award by submitting xink form ANL-758.
The form will be routed to the individual’s supervisor and division for approval. Observers may award employees from their own division or from other divisions. The cost of the award is charged to the recipient’s division.
Additional information about the Spot Award program is available on Inside Argonne.