What World Safety Day Means to 212
In honor of World Day for Safety and Health at Work we wanted to take a minute and talk about what safety means to us and why we do what we do.
The 212 Performance Team has a long history of keeping employees, racers, DIY'ers, and average Joes safe during their jobs and tasks. When asked to take a step back and ask ourselves why we do what we do, it's hard to put a finger on why exactly we are in this industry and why we go to the lengths we do in order to create our products. Safety isn't a sexy industry by any means, nor is it a get rich quick job. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The safety industry supports some of the toughest jobs on the planet and, as part of that industry, we support some of the hardest working people on the planet. For us, it comes down to two words: Challenge and Satisfaction.
Challenges
This team thrives on challenges. Our passion for finding solutions and our thirst for competition naturally built the foundation for the 212 business as a whole. We avoid the "Desk Jockey" mentality and stretch our design process all the way out in to the field where we share the experience of every person's job for which we design products. It is this mentality that allows us to not only create the the greatest safety product(s) on the planet, but also allows us to spend time with the people who use our products and who experience the hardships of the job on a daily basis. Nothing gets this team more fired-up than a unique problem within the industry and the challenge of solving that problem.
Satisfaction
For us the ultimate satisfaction comes from workers leaving a jobsite, garage, race, or project completely injury free. Being in this business, we are constantly peppered with horror stories of people losing their lives or limbs during a job. Lacerations, burns, punctures, and crush injuries are just a handful of the many incidents that can happen on a jobsite. It doesn't take a fatal injury to completely ruin a life; many injuries, while technically survivable, still result in permanent impairments and disabilities that ruin lives not only for the victims but also for their families. In short, this job isn't about selling products, making a cool brand, bringing in cash, or gaining a social media following. It's about keeping you safe and healthy.
We believe in, and strive for, a perfect world scenario where no one gets injured on the jobsite. Where everyone goes home to their families. Safe and sound. Every night. That's our definition of satisfaction and challenge wrapped up in one dream, the dream that is 212. We're off to a good start but there is a lot of work left to do. One thing we can guarantee though, is that we won't quit until our dream comes to fruition!
Hear it directly from the source and check out what safety means to a few members of our team...
Nicole Gonzalez
Channel Marketing Manager
Working diligently, safely, and properly so no harm comes to me and those around me is my meaning of safety. This also applies when working on adding a new product to our line - we strive to find the perfect fit, best comfort, and premium materials to help the end-user avoid terrible and career ending accidents.
Mark Hollenbach
Senior Account Manager
Safety to me means taking the time to recognize the hazards around me and others. Then take the appropriate steps to protect myself and the others around me. The same thoughts apply to me when it comes to providing the appropriate glove or developing that task specific glove option that changes the game for the workers in the field. Think Safe - Being Safe.
Brent Gilliam
Account Manager
Working safely means that I'm able to go home to my family at the end of a shift in the same condition in which I showed. It also means I conduct myself in a safe manner so the fellow co-worker I spend 40+ hours a week with can also go home to his/her family at the end of the day. Safety is a way of life and should never be taken lightly.
Joanna Chavez
Marketing Coordinator
Safety is avoiding any unnecessary mishaps. It means being careful and being prepared. In construction sites it may mean to have the right attire; gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, and work boots. Safety to me is being prepared when I'm traveling alone. Whether it's having a first aid kit or knowing how to call 911 in another country, feeling safe and prepared in an unfamiliar place is important to me.
Stefan Cassara
Visual Media Manager
Safety, to me, is having what you need in the event of an unforeseen disaster. Being prepared ahead of time and knowing how to react in a situation is a major component to being safe.
Ian Smercina
VP of Sales and Marketing
Much like other habits or hobbies, safety has become a way of life. We get to create the products that keep our customers safe. Those same customers quickly become our friends and our friends eventually become our family. It's pretty rewarding to contribute to the effort that keeps our family safe.