Kansas Company Honored for 16 Years with No Lost-Time AccidentsThe Kansas Department of Labor's Industrial Safety and Health division and Secretary Lana Gordon recognized Flame Engineering Inc. of LaCrosse, Kansas, this month for reaching 16 years with no lost-time accidents. Jul 26, 2017The Kansas Department of Labor's Industrial Safety and Health division and Secretary Lana Gordon recognized Flame Engineering Inc. of LaCrosse, Kansas, this month for reaching 16 years with no lost-time accidents. Gordon presented company officials a certificate during a special ceremony attended by management and staff members.The company grew from the initial design by Ralph C. Pivonka and his son, Mike, of a propane torch for burning weeds and brush on their family farm. Their company grew through local demand until it outgrew their workshop. Known as Flame Engineering, Inc., it has expanded into national and international markets with the popular Red Dragon product line," according to KDOL's announcement of the event. It says Mike Pivonka, his son Jason, and his grandson Tyson are all working and active in the business.Flame Engineering has also been part of the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) since October 2000. SHARP provides incentives and support to small, high-hazard employers to work with their employees to develop, implement, and continuously improve the effectiveness of their workplace safety and health programs. Companies that have qualified for SHARP can participate in the SHARP Association, a self-governing group that serves members by networking about workplace safety and mentoring one another through idea sharing. To learn more about the SHARP program, visit http://www.dol.ks.gov/Safety/SharpProgram.aspx.