Avon Lake Schools, Griffith Foods awarded workplace safety grants

Two local employers will receive grants as a part of $695,000 package from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation aimed at improving workplace safety, according to a news release.

Avon Lake City School District will receive $11,812 for the purchase of one scissor lift to reduce the risk of injury to upper and lower extremities related to slips, trips and falls, the release said.

Griffith Foods International Inc. (Griffith Laboratories) of Avon received $27,965 to purchase one hyra-lift and one rollstock and material handling system to reduce the risk of injury to hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back and legs related to hand force, awkward postures, contact stress and push/pull, according to the release.

Griffith Foods is a liquid manufacturing plant that specializes in the production of sauces, gravies and soups.

The intervention will improve the materials handling and mixing processes, the release said.

“The safety grant program helps employers purchase equipment that not only protects workers from injury, but in many cases, also improves processes and productivity, and reduce workers’ compensation costs,” said Dr. Abe AlTaraneh, superintendent of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s division of safety and hygiene.

“Astute employers take proactive steps to keep their workers healthy and their business prospering.”