Lighthouse for the Blind Celebrates 10 Years without Loss-time Injuries

Plant Employees in Overland and Berkeley in St. Louis County Achieve Inspiring Safety Milestone.

AUGUST 8, 2018, St. Louis, Missouri - Employees at two manufacturing plants staffed by Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis (LHB) in St. Louis County achieved an impressive safety milestone this week by celebrating ten years without any lost-time injuries, a proud accomplishment for safety and plant productivity.

“Few manufacturing operations can claim ten continuous years without any lost-time injuries much less one whose direct labor force is predominantly comprised of employees who are legally blind – 96 percent of our employees to be exact,” said John Thompson, President of Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis. The not-for-profit manufacturing and packaging organization with a dedicated social service mission employs 48 individuals who are legally blind.

“Achieving this impressive milestone reflects our employees’ skill and commitment to maintaining safe and productive work environments,” Thompson added. “It reflects the success of our continuous safety training programs and precautionary activities. I congratulate each of our employees and plant supervisors for handling their job responsibilities so well.”

To recognize their safety achievement, all LHB employees received a personalized gift and participated in a “safety recognition ceremony” at their manufacturing plants. Over the last ten years, LHB has upgraded machine guard safety rails on many pieces of equipment, and supervisors have implemented advanced precautionary measures.

Scott Lemmons, Quality Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, said “This accomplishment is proof of our entire organization’s commitments to safety, from the Board of Directors on down.  Reaching this milestone was truly a team effort.  EVERYONE performed their job in a safe manner during every moment of their workday for ten full years.  I am proud to have helped my co-workers keep safety a high priority throughout their workdays.”

Clint Cruse, Vice President of Manufacturing, said, “Whenever a minor work injury has occurred we have conducted a safety refresher meeting. Safety Committees at the Trenton and Berkeley plants routinely inspect equipment, systems and processes for any areas of potential concern in order to sustain a safe work place for all employees and visitors.”

“Our uncompromising commitment to safety resonates loud and clear with our many customers including government, military and business organizations, as well as consumers.”

Also known as LHB Industries, Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis is a non-profit entity that helps adults and children who are visually impaired maintain dignity and independence by offering Employment, Education and Support Services.

Non-Profit acting like a For-Profit

The mission of the Lighthouse, which is a 501(c)3 organization, is to assist individuals who are legally blind maintain dignity and independence through gainful employment, education and support services.

It is a not-for-profit entity operating like a for-profit company to advance its charitable social services mission. The organization’s two manufacturing, assembly, warehousing and distribution plants produce medical kits; catheters; aerosol and liquid paints; aerosol and liquid cleaners; adhesives; eco-friendly products; and others for business, consumer and government customers nationwide.

In addition, the Lighthouse is one of the nation’s top providers of emergency preparedness kits to help people survive earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, floods, accidents, terrorist attacks and building lock-downs. The Lighthouse brand is Quake Kare/Emergency Ready (https://www.quakekare.com).

The Lighthouse also owns and distributes the popular Tear Mender brand of non-toxic, all-natural adhesive and sealants for repairing clothing, fabrics, footwear, leather, upholstery, vinyl and other items for indoor and outdoor use (https://www.tearmender.com).

Also, the Lighthouse owns and distributes RapidFix, a premium line of industrial and consumer bonding products that repair broken or damaged items that include rubber, glass, copper, aluminum, steel and most plastics.  RapidFix is sold by retailers in automotive, hardware and marine industries nationwide, and by online retailers such as Amazon.com, and by https://www.rapidfix.com.

In April 2018, Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis received a Certificate of Registration for global standard ISO 9001:2015 resulting from an extensive audit showing that LHB satisfies all requirements for globally recognized quality management systems, including safety protocols.

The Lighthouse was honored by National Industries for the Blind in 2017 with a prestigious Employment Growth Award for successful efforts to increase employment retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind.

All sales revenues from LHB Industries, Quake Kare, RapidFix and Tear Mender products directly support the Lighthouse’s 16 different “See the Future” Blind Community Outreach Programs.

Thompson says, “We are very proud of our skilled employees, and we are proud of our mission-specific staff members who develop, sustain and provide our service programs for the blind community in Missouri and Illinois.”