Watts Radiant obtains SHARP certification

Springfield-based radiant heating and snow-melting company Watts Radiant is now one of three businesses in Springfield, and one of 35 in the state, to be named a member of Missouri’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

The company earned the SHARP distinction for its workplace safety record and its efforts to improve the safety of other businesses through its products, according to department of labor officials who visited Watts, 4500 E. Progress Place, on July 19.

Larry Rebman, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, said he was pleased to visit the facility and recognize the company for its efforts.

“We have a workers’ memorial service every year in Jefferson City that acknowledges the loss of life of Missouri workers, and this is really the other side of that,” Rebman said.

Brian Jones, Watts Radiant regional environmental health and safety representative, said the process to achieve SHARP recognition began more than five years ago. Still, he said the work is not done.

“Now that we have (the certification), the hard part starts. We’ll have to keep it,” Jones said.

Mayor Jim O’Neal attended the ceremony to congratulate Watts Radiant on its achievement.

“As an owner of a trucking company … I can tell that you have your focus on what’s most important,” O’Neal said. “If people are your most important asset, then safety should be the No. 1 priority.”

Rebman said businesses interested in learning more about the SHARP program can contact the Labor Department to set up a meeting with a safety consultant, who can walk businesses through the process toward certification.

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