State Presents Champaign-Based Company SHARP Award for Workplace Safety

SPRINGFIELD—The Director of the Illinois Department of Labor, Joseph Costigan today recognized OBITER Research, LLC, for creating and maintaining high safety standards for its employees by awarding them SHARP status.  The IDOL Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program, administers the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, an OSHA initiative that recognizes small business employers who operate exemplary occupational safety and health programs.

“OBITER’s extraordinary efforts towards employee safety in a high-risk industry are unparalleled,” said Dir. Costigan.  “They built their own business and facility with workplace safety in mind. Their proactive approach to all things shows their true commitment to employee safety and health.  OBITER Research is an ideal representative of the SHARP program.”

The Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program is a service available to employers needing assistance with OSHA compliance or safety and health management development at no cost.  In order to qualify for a SHARP Award, a company must maintain a low injury and illness record and have a safety and health management program in place.  Twenty-seven Illinois companies have earned SHARP status to date.

Champaign-based OBITER Research, LLC is a contract chemical research and manufacturing organization that creates custom compounds for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biotechnology industries as well as government and academic research institutes.  The company specializes in the design and synthesis of difficult organic compounds.

Some unique laboratory designs include geothermal technology to heat and cool the space, low flow/low turbulence fume hoods to ensure proper ventilation and extra wide hallways to accommodate project-specific equipment easily and safely.

Managed by Chad L. Boulanger, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Dr. William A. Boulanger, Chairman and Executive, OBITER Research, LLC has expanded from research and process development to performing kilo scale manufacturing of specialty chemicals of up to 1000 kg/month.  Chemicals range from radio nucleotide adsorption media for analysis, DNA dyes, and pharmaceutical intermediates, to neutraceuticals.

“As an entrepreneur and a small business owner of a chemical research facility, keeping our employees safe must be of top priority,” said Dr. Boulanger.  “The Illinois Department of Labor’s Onsite Consultation Program provided us with the knowledge that allowed us to provide a work environment that minimizes risks and exposure to anything harmful or potentially dangerous. Thanks to the Onsite Consultants and our Compliance Manager, OBITER Research has taken Compliance & Safety to the next level and is now a proud SHARP facility.”

More information on the Illinois Onsite consultation program is available at: www.illinoisosha.com