MIOSHA awards top workplace safety and health status to Air Flow Equipment Inc., headed by former Michigan football player who approaches safety as a 'team effort'

KALAMAZOO, Mich. –   Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) recognized Air Flow Equipment Inc., for implementing and maintaining outstanding workplace safety and health standards.

The 38-employee custom-air handling manufacturer based in Kalamazoo,  received Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MSHARP) certification from MIOSHA.

Air Flow Equipment is one of nine current MSHARP companies or small business employers that have achieved excellence in their safety and health practices, above and beyond MIOSHA standards.

Air Flow Equipment Inc. President Matt DeYoung, a University of Michigan Wolverine wide receiver from 1994-96, described workplace safety and health as a team effort. 

"At Michigan, Coach Lloyd Carr and Mike Gittleson had us memorize a quote by Coach Fielding Yost: 'half-heartedness or lack of earnestness will eliminate any man from a football team.'" At Air Flow, we certainly cannot be half-hearted about safety and health, and we must be earnest in our daily efforts, so everyone goes home safely," said Matt DeYoung, President, Air Flow Equipment Inc. " From the company founder to the newest team member, we all strive to give our best effort and be vigilant each and every day. We are honored and humbled to receive this award and grateful for the guidance MIOSHA’s Consulting Education and Training Division has provided to us." 

Air Flow Equipment Inc. President Matt De Young is pictured in a 1996 University of Michigan football photo.

MIOSHA's Consultation Education Training (CET) Onsite Consultation Program operates MSHARP and works with employers to help them become self-sufficient in managing occupational safety and health. MIOSHA onsite consultants provide feedback on best practices offering an incentive of 24-month exemption from regular scheduled MIOSHA inspections.

“MIOSHA is thrilled to honor Air Flow Equipment Inc. with its first-ever MSHARP certification in recognition of their commitment to achieving workplace safety and health excellence,” said Tarah Kile, Director of MIOSHA's Consultation Education and Training Division. “The company’s culture prioritizes their employees' health and safety and serves as an example for other Michigan small businesses to follow.”

MSHARP requires a comprehensive consultation visit and the correction of all workplace safety and health hazards to achieve certification, emphasizing employers need to proactively anticipate accident and illness risks, rather than reacting to them.

Best practices that demonstrate Air Flow Equipment's safety and health management system excellence include: 

• Eliminating a potential health hazard by implementing an exhaust system at a plasma water table.  
• Realizing fall protection equipment was not compatible during certain manufacturing processes. The company hired a local engineer to help design and build three fall protection rigs in house. The new rigs were suitable for production needs and met MIOSHA requirements.

Air Flow Equipment Inc. employees are pictured during the company's MSHARP award ceremony Jan. 8, 2024.

Since 1985, Air Flow Equipment Inc. has produced thousands of custom-made air handling units. For additional information, visit airflowequipment.com.

Visit michigan.gov/MSHARP to learn about MSHARP and MIOSHA’s other cooperative programs for employers.

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