Building a Safety Culture at Suburban Manufacturing

Safety Isn't Just a Rule, It's Our Culture

At Suburban Manufacturing safety isn’t something we check off a list; it’s part of the foundation of our culture. We believe that a safe workplace is more than compliance with regulations; it’s a mindset that shapes how we work, how we interact, and how we succeed together.

We know that safety isn’t a one-time effort, it’s a daily commitment. That’s why we continuously review our practices, invest in the right tools and equipment, and integrate safety into every project, process, and decision. By prioritizing safety, we’re not just preventing accidents, we’re building trust, boosting morale, and enhancing productivity.

“I feel proud to work for a company that cares about its employees and wants to do whatever they can to keep them safe.” ~ Shannon Wilkens, Customer Service

Passionate about keeping our workplace safe, Maintenance Technician, Dylan Yonak, is leveraging technology to drive powerful improvements across the facility. Dylan recognized an opportunity to make safety reporting faster, easier, and more effective. With creativity and determination, he and our Director of Operations developed an electronic reporting system that empowers every team member to play an active role in safety. Here’s how it works: employees simply scan a QR code posted throughout the facility, enter their observation, and the system instantly notifies Dylan in real time. This innovation goes beyond just reporting concerns, it also collects valuable data. With this data, we can identify trends, pinpoint problem areas, and make targeted improvements where they’ll have the greatest impact. Every observation becomes an opportunity to improve, allowing us to act not only reactively, but also proactively.

“Safety is my top priority in every task I perform. With a background in both military service and industrial maintenance, I’ve learned that strict adherence to safety protocols is essential to preventing injury, equipment failure, and downtime.

 

My goal is to maintain a safe working environment not just for myself, but for everyone around me. I take pride in leading by example and promoting a culture where safety is the standard, not the exception.”

~Dylan Yonak

But Dylan’s innovation is just one part of the story. This year alone, our Safety Committee, comprised of representatives from across the organization, including our CEO, HR Business Partner, Director of Operations, and team members from Engineering, Sewing, Quality, Maintenance, and the Warehouse, has gone above and beyond by completing and revamping 22 safety projects on top of their regular responsibilities. Their cross-functional collaboration ensures that safety is a shared responsibility and a top priority for everyone.

The safety committee meets each month to review a wide range of safety items, and perhaps the most important part is that these individuals feel empowered to speak up, whether it’s sharing their own concerns or raising issues they hear from their peers. This open dialogue strengthens our safety culture and helps us continuously improve.

“One change I’ve seen that really improved safety was the introduction of monthly safety meetings. It helps everyone stay aware of current risks, updated procedures, and any incidents.” ~ Matt Peterson, Quality

Celebrating Safety Wins

Safety isn’t just about avoiding incidents; it’s about recognizing and rewarding the behaviors that keep us all safe. We celebrate milestones, acknowledge team members who take initiative, and share stories of how proactive safety measures prevented potential hazards. These celebrations aren’t just fun they reinforce the value we place on looking out for one another.

To keep engagement high, we’ve incorporated creative games and friendly competitions. One favorite is our Penguin Game, designed to encourage team members to watch for slip-and-fall risks. Departments compete by submitting observations and fixes, and the department with the most wins get to display cute penguin figurines at their workstations as a reminder of their achievements.

Our Sewing Team showcasing their win last year!

We even add a fun twist: if employees walk like a penguin in our stand-up meeting - the safe way to move in icy or slippery areas - they earn extra points for their department. It’s a playful way to reinforce safe behaviors and gives everyone a little laugh while keeping safety top of mind.

To me, safety in my day-to-day work means ensuring that at the end of every shift, I and everyone I work with can go home healthy and safe. It also means that every incident report or near miss is a learning opportunity that can make our workplace safer.                                      ~ Mark Fowlkes, Warehouse Supervisor

                                                                                                                                      During our morning stand-up meeting, Joe demonstrating the penguin walk.

When safety becomes part of your culture like it has at SMG, it transcends policies and procedures. It becomes a way of thinking, a shared responsibility, and a point of pride. By embedding safety into our culture, we’re building more than just a safer workplace. We’re building a community of care, responsibility, and respect where everyone can thrive; it’s part of who we are.