Crystal Window & Door Systems incorporates periodic training for employees into its work environment. Many training courses Crystal uses are focused on injury prevention and advanced first aid to maintain a safe workplace. To ensure readiness in the event of a serious injury at the factory, 14 managers, supervisors and production line lead workers at Crystal’s northeast Pennsylvania plant attended a life-saving skills course offered last fall at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton.
Using these skills in real life
Ben Stine, a leader on the finished product wrapping line at Crystal’s Benton Township facility in Pennsylvania, attended the Stop The Bleed trauma skills course in November 2023. The course teaches the basic principles of bleeding control and tourniquet use until trained emergency providers arrive. Weeks later while driving out of state, Stine encountered a serious car accident that had just occurred. Using the skills he learned and the equipment kit provided at the course, Stine was able to stabilize the injured accident victim until emergency responders arrived.
To commemorate Stine’s swift actions that assisted in saving a life, Geinsinger Education and Outreach Coordinator Kathryn Bommer, presented the Geisinger Trauma Team Community Recognition Award and Challenge Coin to Stine at a ceremony held at Crystal’s facility on February 5.
Stine has also been nominated for the Civilian Savior Award from the Pennsylvania division of the American Trauma Society at its annual conference scheduled for April 2024.
What Crystal says
“This story is a testament to the value of preparedness and investment in safety and life-saving skills training,” says Mike DelPrete, general manager at Crystal’s Pennsylvania factory. “Crystal’s dedicated employees who attended the Stop The Bleed course are well equipped in the event of any injury at our plant, or in this case, outside of work. Ben Stine’s cool-headed response in a very serious situation helped save a life and showed the importance of this type of training. In addition to Crystal’s regular training on operating procedures, production equipment usage protocols and personal safety equipment requirements, having staff at the plant trained on emergency first aid and life-saving skills makes a much safer work environment."
