Building Structure and Engagement for Safer Work

A deliberate shift toward stronger focus, accountability, and engagement helped IDEX Health & Science (IH&S) in Rochester, New York, achieve a more than 75% reduction in its incident rate last year. They established an EHS Engagement Team, which strengthened governance, improved follow‑through, reduced response time, and increased transparency in how safety actions were tracked and completed.

The IH&S team, which manufactures high‑precision optical filters and lenses used in laboratory instruments for disease diagnostics, DNA sequencing, and the discovery of new therapies, developed a clear EHS Mission. They centered on priority risk areas, supported by visual posters and banners that reinforced critical controls and expected behaviors from leaders and teams.

Enhanced communication, combined with visible leadership and formal Safety Commitments, helped build trust, shared ownership, and embed safety as a core value — resulting in improved incident trends, engagement, and confidence.