Ideal Aerosmith Earns SHARP Certification at GF Headquarters
Featuring Mariah Hapka, Marketing Coordinator
The Ideal Aerosmith headquarters building located in Grand Forks, ND, was honored to receive its first-ever SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) certification on March 19th, 2025. This recognition represents a significant milestone in our company’s commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.
What is SHARP?
The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recognizes small businesses that have developed exemplary safety and health programs. Companies that earn SHARP status may also qualify for exemption from OSHA’s programmed inspections for up to two years.
Ideal Aerosmith’s Path to SHARP
Ideal Aerosmith began working with the North Dakota Occupational Safety and Health (NDOSH) on December 13th, 2023. Achieving the SHARP certification required a year and a half of dedication and continuous improvement. This effort was led by Lisa Powell Beaver our Quality and Safety Manager, whose commitment and leadership were instrumental in this process. Lisa’s efforts were supported by our leadership team and employees.
This achievement marks the first time in Ideal Aerosmith’s history that we have earned SHARP recognition, proving our dedication to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace for both employees and customers.
Hazard Prevention and Control Improvements
Throughout the consultation process, Ideal Aerosmith identified areas for improvement and implemented corrective measures to prevent future hazards. These enhancements were integrated into our quarterly building audits, self-inspection checklists, and internal training schedules. The structured approach strengthened our overall safety culture and reinforced accountability across all members of our company.
How We Learned About SHARP
Ideal Aerosmith was introduced to the OSHA On-site Consultation Program through the Northern Occupational Safety & Health Association (NOSHA). During a NOSHA-sponsored event, a guest speaker from NDOSH presented information on the SHARP program, prompting Lisa to pursue this valuable opportunity.
Celebrating Success
On April 15th, 2025, Ideal Aerosmith hosted a celebration recognizing our SHARP certification. We were also selected as this year’s SHARP Success Story, which is an honor that reflects our strong commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.
Approximately 40 small businesses in North Dakota hold SHARP recognition, including only 3 companies in Grand Forks. Ideal Aerosmith is proud to be among them.
Commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement
In addition to our SHARP recognition, Ideal Aerosmith maintains IPC certification and ISO 9001:2015 certification, reaffirming our commitment to quality, safety, and operational excellence.
NDOSH’s objective evaluation of our safety programs was instrumental in helping us strengthen our processes. Their knowledgeable team provided valuable recommendations, helped reduce risk, and enhanced our safety performance. Having NDOSH consultants working directly with our production teams fostered understanding and alignment across the organization. We extend our gratitude to NDOSH for their professionalism and partnership.
Looking Ahead
A future goal for Ideal Aerosmith is to achieve a SHARP certification at our Phoenix facility as well as our second Grand Forks location. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with NDOSH and further advancing the high safety standards we are committed to upholding.
