As the facilities manager for Nystrom, a mid-size manufacturer of building products in Minneapolis, Rick Fanning wears a lot of hats. In addition to overseeing cleanliness and security, he’s responsible for managing hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and workplace safety for about 200 employees.
Founded in 1948, Nystrom produces a variety of specialty building products, including the entrance mats that people walk across when they enter Target stores. The company also makes many of the access panels and metal frames that go inside retail store walls. As such, it generates a fair amount of paint, machine oil, and other hazardous waste that needs to be properly disposed each month. On top of that, the company also has universal waste, such as rechargeable batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and old computers need to be recycled every few months.
Staying on top of all the processes, paperwork and requirements issued by OSHA, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and local municipalities can be a challenge, Fanning said. Nystrom used to contract with multiple vendors for multiple services, but now relies on one company with broad expertise: Industrial Compliance Services (ICS).
Formerly known as Industrial Waste Services and its sister company Industrial Safety Group, the companies have expanded their scope of services and converged under a new name.
“In 2020, we recognized that compliance extends beyond just waste and safety, so we’ve added environmental consulting and permitting to our suite of services,” said Mike Antolik, President and CEO. “Our goal is to be a single resource and one-stop shop – particularly for small and mid-size manufacturers.”
“Industrial Compliance Services is my first call for help when I have questions about regulations. Whether we have a question about hazardous chemicals or need safety training, they have the information and resources we need. Cradle to grave, they’ve been with us every step of the way for many years.”
Rick Fanning
Facilities Manager, Nystrom
BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES
Industrial Compliance Services manages much of Nystrom’s waste, safety, and environmental requirements, from testing to training. The shop employs about 200 people and recently expanded to a 60,000-square-foot facility next door. New construction meant coordinating and complying with new building codes, permits, and processes.
“Industrial Compliance Services is my first call for help when I have questions about regulations,” Fanning said. “Whether we have a question about hazardous chemicals or need safety training, they have the information and resources we need. Cradle to grave, they’ve been with us every step of the way for many years.”
Beyond waste and safety issues, Industrial Compliance Services has helped the shop meet environmental requirements throughout the building process, including permitting, testing, and reporting for indoor air quality.
“They can handle just about anything and everything,” Fanning said. “We’ve relied on them for hazardous waste management for many years, but as they’ve expanded their services, we’ve been able to consult with them on other issues as well. Compliance is a big deal. Now they’re providing employee training on First Aid, CPR training, ergonomics, hazardous material shipping, lockout/tagout, and other topics. It’s really helpful to be able to pick the services and training we need on an a la carte basis.”
From waste stream evaluation and testing to annual training, the level of services needed by each shop varies depending on what it manufactures. One thing is certain: all shops want to be prepared for their next audit.
TRUSTED PARTNER
At Electrical Machinery in Minneapolis, managing environmental health and safety is a big job. The shop designs and manufactures large motors and generators that are found in the Hoover Dam as well as paper mills, oil and gas refineries. It manufactures motors up 25,000 horsepower and generators up to 200,000 KVA.
Painting big motors and generators produces hazardous waste that needs to be stored, disposed, and documented. Each week, Industrial Compliance Services inspects the shop’s waste to ensure chemicals are properly contained and coordinates pick up and disposal.
“They’ve always done a good job handling our hazardous waste,” said Nick Bergman, continuous improvement and safety manager. “So we’ve started using them as an extra resource to maintain safety compliance. Their trainings supplement what we’re currently doing in-house.”
In the past, Bergman contacted multiple companies to assist in environmental and safety compliance. Now he makes one call to schedule a variety of trainings.
“There are a lot of companies that specialize in specific areas of environmental or safety reporting, but not many that offer the breadth and scope of Industrial Compliance Services,” Bergman said. “Working with them has cut down on the amount of time we have to spend on paperwork and other administrative tasks so we can focus on our products. It’s also nice to have the added level of assurance that we’re in compliance.”
“In 2020, we recognized that compliance extends beyond just waste and safety, so we’ve added environmental consulting and permitting to our suite of services. Our goal is to be a single resource and one-stop shop – particularly for small and mid-size manufacturers.”
Mike Antolik, President and CEO
Industrial Compliance Services
About Industrial Compliance Services
In 2001, Mike Antolik started Industrial Waste Services with one focus – and a commitment to the highest level of customer service. As more environmental and safety regulations were placed upon companies, more customers began asking him for help with testing, training, and reporting. He hired several industrial compliance experts to expand services.
Six years ago, Industrial Safety Group was launched to assist companies with employee training and OSHA compliance. In 2020, environmental compliance was added to help with annual reporting and permitting for stormwater and Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC). Now everything is gathered under one umbrella.
“We really do pride ourselves on providing the best customer service,” Antolik said. “We’re able to scale up or down depending on a company’s needs, and our experts are second to none.”
- Jeremiah Berg, Lead Customer Service Representative, holds many certifications from Erosion and Stormwater Management to Hazardous Waste Generator Training.
- Ross Ohman, who leads the environmental division, is a Civil Engineer with an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
- Jerome Niss brings over 40 years of experience in manufacturing and managing EHS departments to his work as OSHA Outreach Instructor.
- Chris Emerson uses his degree in biology and minor in chemistry to help clients meet industrial waste, environmental, and safety regulations.
“Maintaining compliance is like obeying the speed limit,” Antolik said. “Those who are speeding will eventually get stopped. Our job is to watch out for companies, so they don’t face penalties down the road.”
