DSM Desotech Inc., a world leader in the development and supply of high performance UV-curable materials, has been named winner of the 2006 DSM SHE Award for top performance in the areas of Safety, Health & Environment.  It is the latest of several safety awards earned by the Elgin-based chemical coatings supplier, which was named one of ”America’s Safest Companies” in 2004 by Occupational Hazards Magazine.

“The DSM SHE Award is given annually to the one DSM site worldwide that best demonstrates outstanding safety, health and environmental practices,” says DSM Desotech Elgin Site Manager Jason Castro.Performance areas considered include injury and occupational illness rates, absenteeism trends, reporting and corrective action practices, proactive health/fitness initiatives, and environmental practices. “Given the size and scope of DSM’s global operation—with more than 200 sites competing for this award each year—this is a very prestigious honor,” says Castro. 

In addition to receiving the DSM SHE Award, DSM Desotech has also been recognized this year with the Illinois Safety Council’s “Outstanding Safety Performance Award.” Desotech SHE Manager Jill Ryan credits the company's consistent safety success to several key factors:

• A strong SHE focus from DSM’s top management.

• Local site management teams that are personally committed to safety, health and the environment.

• A positive “safety culture” where associates develop an internalized focus on safety

• A proactive system for dealing with all incidents (including “close calls”) and benchmarking with other DSM sites.