In a business like Jacam Catalyst, where employees work in physically demanding roles that require real athleticism, people-safety is the name of the game.
As the innovative chemical company grew, leadership wanted to do more than manage injuries after they happened. Prevention was the priority. Partnering with Axiom Medical, and working closely with account manager Lhoren Morris, gave them the support they needed to put that vision into practice.
A Partnership Rooted in Workplace Safety and Care
When Jacam’s safety leaders noticed that some of the most complex cases involved employees with pre-existing conditions, it reinforced their prevention mindset: how could they set employees up for success from day one, before injuries occurred?
Working side by side with Jacam, Lhoren dug into years of case data, highlighting patterns and comorbidities. She built a clear, metrics-driven business case that showed how a pre-employment assessment program could make a difference. With her support, Jacam had the evidence they needed to reintroduce WorkSTEPS pre-employment assessments. This program makes sure that Jacam’s employees are matched with jobs that best fit their risk profiles.
The impact was immediate. Since re-instating the program in 2024, Jacam hasn’t had a single claim tied to a pre-existing condition.
Vernon Brown, HS&E Director, captured the spirit of the relationship:
“Lhoren has encouraged more sharing of ideas and information, and she’s worked with us to personalize our approach in ways that reflect who we are as a company.”
Putting People at the Center of Safety Culture
Jacam’s safety leaders often described Lhoren as part of their own team. That’s because to Lhoren, a big part of data-collection involves listening and relationship building. She’s also known to occasionally dole out some tough love to make sure progress stays on track. Lhoren’s mix of care and accountability helped bridge the gap between safety and operations at Jacam, turning supervisors and managers into active champions of safety.
Carla Gustafson, Sr. HSE Manager, reflected on how impactful this partnership has been:
“When Jacam’s safety department was reorganized, we had to prove our value and earn trust across the company. With Axiom, we’ve shown that we’re a true partner to employees. Management trusts us more, employees trust us more, and that’s when real traction begins.”
Together, Jacam and Axiom focused on:
- Strengthening new hire orientation, especially in the first 90 days.
- Revitalizing mentorship programs, ensuring new employees had trusted guides.
- Building cost-avoidance logs, giving safety leaders a clearer way to show the business value of prevention.
Impressive Results in Injury Prevention and Employee Health
The numbers—and the people behind them—show real progress:
- A record safety year: In 2024, Jacam recorded only eight recordable injuries—the lowest in company history.
- Rapid course correction: When early 2025 began with more incidents, Jacam and Axiom quickly adjusted. By involving supervisors more directly, incident rates dropped again by the second quarter.
- A resilient culture: Employees now experience better onboarding, more visible mentorship, and a workplace where safety conversations are part of everyday operations.
Ashley Wilkes, HSE Systems Manager, shared how the team has grown stronger together:
“The year started off pretty rocky for us comparatively, and just the ability to rebound from that—to grow our team, push more safety initiatives, and bring down incident rates—I feel like that’s been a good learning experience and it’s helped us collaborate as a team.”
Safety Matters Because People Matter
Workplace safety is personal at Jacam. Employees are family, friends, and neighbors. By embedding prevention into every step, Jacam has shown that protecting employees is the foundation of running a successful manufacturing operation.
And for Axiom Medical, the most meaningful measure of success is being welcomed as part of Jacam’s team. As Carla shared:
“I see Axiom as a partner with us in not only helping our safety score, but also in just overall taking care of our employees. They’re a partner and kind of an extension of our team in caring about those employees.
Your Workplace Safety Reinvention Starts Here
Reflecting on her role working with Jacam Catalyst, Lhoren says:
“Working with Jacam over the past few years has been a truly rewarding experience. The team welcomed me in from the start, fostering a collaborative partnership that has only grown stronger with time. Their consistent engagement and willingness to collaborate have not only driven positive results but have also shaped the way I approach client relationships, broadening my perspective and inspiring new and effective ways to support other clients.”
Jacam’s journey proves that when care drives safety, progress follows. Together with Axiom Medical—and with Lhoren’s steady partnership—Jacam has not only reduced injuries and avoided costs, but also built a culture of safety that employees can feel every day. That culture continues to grow, keeping people safe and Jacam strong for years to come.
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