8/12/2019 Bunzl Distribution USA Case Study by UL Workplace

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Case Study

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Bunzl Distribution USA, Inc., supplies packaging materials, safety clothing and

sanitation products to food processors, supermarkets, and other retail and wholesale

operations. Based in St. Louis, Mo., it is the largest division of Bunzl plc, London, an

international distribution and outsourcing group.

Bunzl Distribution operates more than 100 warehouses that serve all 50 states and

Puerto Rico, as well as Canada, the Caribbean and parts of Mexico. With more than

4,000 employees and 400,000-plus supply items, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier

in North America.

The company’s long-term focus is on improving productivity, enhancing services andexploring new business opportunities.

Challenge

Success in commerce depends on the company’s ability to expeditiously and safely

distribute material and products regardless of location, traffic pat terns, weather or time

of day. Consequently, Bunzl is highly motivated to minimize risk and effectively manage

workforce health and safety. However, hazards in the external work environment are a

challenge to navigate.

Since its employees are a key to its success, Bunzl takes steps to protect them from

injury. While much of the operation is automated and goods are transferred with

forklifts, it’s still demanding work and fatigue is a risk factor, especially on second shift.

“Our employees have to be able to work productively and safely,” said Denton Bruce,

corporate environmental, health and safety (EHS) director.

He noted that it’s essential for Bunzl to consistently provide safety training with course

content that engages employees, is easy to retain and presented in their primary

language – in this case English, Spanish or French Canadian.

Solution

Bunzl is known for revolutionizing its industry by developing sophisticated marketing,

procurement and logistics systems designed to lower the delivered cost of supplies. For

example, it uses electronic data interchange transmissions and customized order guidesto provide state-of-the-art service. In keeping with this trend, it selected UL Workplace

Health and Safety’s PureSafety solution as its online training and safety management

solution.

“We view ourselves as world-class in all respects, including safety,” said Bruce, who

 joined the company in 2007.

Bunzl Distribution USAPureSafety integral part of sophisticated

distribution system where people come first.

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Case Study

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Solution Continued

PureSafety is an integral part of Bunzl’s EHS training and compliance program. For

example, Bruce uses the sof tware regularly to assign courses and track completion

rates. The company particularly appreciates having access to eLearning content with

considerable depth and breadth.

Employees have the option of either completing courses and post-training exams

online via a human resources kiosk or other available computer, or watching the course

in a classroom with a small group and taking the exam on paper. Most employees are

expected to complete at least three to four hours of training a year. Managers who are

responsible for the safety of drivers and warehouse employees often are required to

take additional courses.

For example, employees hired in 2013 were required to complete the following UL

Workplace Health and Safety courses:

• Battery and Charger Safety

• Bloodborne Pathogens

• Fall Protection

• Hazard Communication

• Personal Protective Equipment

Results

Bunzl uses productivity metrics to monitor performance. The company expects – and

typically achieves – a 100 percent course completion rate by the end of September each

 year. The company recognizes individual locations for accident-free years/hours and

most-improved safety performance.

The following data illustrate how Bunzl’s use of PureSafety, in combination with other

initiatives, helps make a significant difference. Since 2005, the company's:

• Incident rate has declined by nearly 60 percent

• Lost-time injury rate has declined by 65 percent

• Total lost workdays have decreased by about 70 percent

• Workers' compensation costs have also decreased since 2005.

“We want to ensure that our employees can do their jobs productively, without injury

risk,” Bruce said. “There are no robots to load, unload and deliver. It’s all about the

people. We know they have a life outside of work and loved ones who depend on them,

so we want to get them home safely.”

“Safety is not justanother ‘flavor of themonth.’ We make itpart of our companyculture. While we careabout our employees’well-being, we alsoknow that it makesgood business sense

to provide a safeand clean workenvironment." 

- Denton Bruce, Director,Environmental, Health and Safety

  Bunzl Distribution USA

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• Preventing Back Injuries; Cuts; Slips,

Trips and Falls (3 Courses)

• Powered Industrial Truck Safety

• Electrical Safety

• Warehouse Safety