Brickman Management

Focus on Safety

Thirty-four months of accident-free operation! That's the milestone reached by Brickman Management Company's McDonald's restaurant in New Port Richey, Florida in November 2006.

FHM recognized Brickman's accomplishment by presenting it's first Safety Certificate award to the company on November 29, 2006. Receiving the award were Bob Brickman, Owner, Aimee Mayler, Location Manager and John Stege, Area Supervisor and Safety Manager. FHM is not alone in its recognition of Brickman, however. Christopher W. Henry, Account Executive with the risk management services division of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, says "Bob Brickman has been a valued client of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Florida) for many years. He has an enthusiastic ownership style and is constantly promoting safety awareness."

An FHM policyholder since 1999, Brickman works closely with both the Gallagher Agency and FHM's Loss Control department to ensure its restaurants are safe for employees and customers. The company began its safety program in the late 1990s after realizing it needed to take steps to improve its safety record. Now, safety is integrated into every aspect of operations.

The company's Safety Manager coordinates company-wide safety efforts. Safety Managers at each location coordinate the activities of their Safety Committees that meet monthly. Company-wide safety meetings are held bi-monthly, rotating locations so they visit each restaurant every 16 months. In addition, the company takes advantage of the risk management services offered by the Gallagher agency, FHM's Loss Control Consultant's expertise and the tools and programs available through the McDonald's Owner Operator Safety Association (OOSA) of which it is an active member.

Penny Smith - whose official title is Administrative Assistant - is the backbone of the safety program according to John Stege. "Penny follows up on every accident, makes sure all the proper steps are taken and keeps a sharp eye out for fraudulent claims. She keeps us all on track and makes sure our procedures are followed," Stege says.

Employees regularly remind each other to clean up spills, use the proper caution signs, wear the proper protective gear and keep equipment clean and in good working order. "Communication is very important," says Aimee Mayler, "We're constantly talking about safety."

Cari Miller, Safety Manager at the New Port Richey restaurant, says it's important to have the right people on the Safety Committee. "I choose people who are friendly with everyone," she says "They talk with people constantly and can easily make safety a part of their conversations."

Because slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence at restaurants, all Brickman employees are required to wear safety shoes which they can purchase at a discount thanks to Brickman's arrangement with a local shoe store. Employees who arrive for work without the correct shoes are asked to leave and return only when wearing the correct shoes. Chris Henry sums up the Brickman approach to safety this way, "Brickman Management has instilled a top-down philosophy in all its employees that a safe workplace is essential for a successful operation but, even more importantly, they clearly understand that protecting the welfare of each individual employee is imperative to maintain high morale and long term economic success."

With it's strong focus on safety, Brickman finds it is not unusual for one if its restaurants to go as long as twelve months without an accident. Chris Henry believes Brickman's safety record is outstanding. "Operating a restaurant for two plus years without one single lost time incident is unprecedented in the fast food industry, and Mr. Brickman and all his staff should be commended for achieving such a milestone," Chris says.

Brickman Management believes in safety and understands the benefits - to employees, to customers and to the company's financial well being - of having safe workplaces. "It's the way we do business," says John Stege. FHM is proud of Brickman's accomplishments and pleased to be a part of this outstanding company's efforts to create an environment of safety that means safe workplaces for its employees. Congratulations on a job well done!