SPRINGFIELD --The Illinois Department of Labor has announced that IN-PIPE Technology of Wood Dale has received the national Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation. 

The firm, which provides green engineered wastewater treatment technology and services, joined an elite group of businesses that have earned SHARP status after completing a thorough health and safety evaluation by Illinois OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program. 

“IN-PIPE Technology has proven its dedication to workplace health and safety,” said Michael Kleinik, Director of the Illinois Department of Labor. “The company’s exemplary actions to promote a healthy working environment and the implementation of safety and injury-prevention measures makes them not only worthy of this prestigious recognition but also serves as an example for other businesses to follow.” 

Bryan Weber, President and CEO of the environmental bio-sciences company, said the journey toward SHARP status began soon after he and his business partner purchased the business in 2017. 

“We hired a safety consultant to help us identify and prioritize those things we should attack first. Shortly thereafter I was speaking with a fellow business leader and friend of mine who told me about the SHARP program and the journey they took to achieve SHARP certification,” said Weber. “After hearing about the program, coupled with our desire to address the safety concerns that were obvious to us at the time, we decided to go all in.” 

Weber said that IN-PIPE Technology had a great working relationship with the Illinois OSHA On-Site Safety and Health Consultation program. 

“All along they were responsive and helpful. I think if you demonstrate a desire to achieve, they’re more than happy to invest the time and energy to help you reach the goal,” said Weber. 

The company is just the 37th Illinois business to currently hold the recognition. By earning SHARP status, the company is exempt from routine OSHA inspections while the SHARP certification remains valid. 

Illinois OSHA offers free and confidential safety and health onsite consultations for employers with up to 250 employees. The Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program can help Illinois businesses meet the federal OSHA health and safety regulations and can assist those companies interested in pursuing SHARP status. 

If you have questions about Illinois OSHA’s on-site consultation program, you can call 800-972- 4216 or visit www.labor.illinois.gov for more information. 

The On-Site Consultation Cooperative Agreement is funded by a federal grant which constitutes 90 percent of the overall budget. Ten percent is financed by state funds.