Supervalu Distribution Center Receives Workplace Safety Accreditation

Aug. 1, 2005
Supervalu Inc.s distribution center in Oglesby, Ill. received the Principles of Behavior Based Safety accreditation from the Cambridge Center for Behavioral

Supervalu Inc.’s distribution center in Oglesby, Ill. received the Principles of Behavior Based Safety accreditation from the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. The accreditation was earned after MRDC successfully implemented Supervalu’s Critical Activities Management (CAM) program, which uses systematic feedback and positive reinforcement to strengthen safe workplace practices. Following CAM implementation, MRDC noted a reduction in OSHA frequency rates from 13.1 to 0.0 and a reduction in severity rates from 1.6 to 0.0. The Cambridge Center's accreditation process evaluates before and after measures of workplace safety following implementation of programs and evaluates that data for effectiveness.

"Since fully implementing the CAM program in 2001, there has been a visible change in the way our employees perform their work duties," said Sandy Knott, risk control manager at MRDC. "The program has spread into other areas of operations, increasing employee involvement. Production efforts have increased and the injuries have decreased. The Principles of Behavior Based Safety accreditation from the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies underscores our commitment to promoting and maintaining a safe place to work."

Supervalu 's MRDC facility is only the second organization to receive accreditation from the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. The Cambridge Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the scientific study of behavior and its humane applications.

Supervalu (Eden Prairie) has 1,500 retail grocery locations, and provides distribution and related logistics support services to nearly 3,000 other grocery retailers across the United States. The company reported annual revenues of approximately $20 billion in 2005.