Local companies prove there’s safety in numbers
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Two local companies in the wood manufacturing industry were honored recently for their continued efforts to provide a safe working environment.
Staff photos/Kathy McCarty
SAFETY is a team effort at Maine Woods Company in Portage, the latest recipient of the SHARP award. Gathered for a company photo during the recent presentation ceremony are, seated in front from left: Chris Good, Jesse Good, Dennis Ibello and Wayne Labbe. Second row, seated from left: Jim Jandreau; H. Wayne Law, director of manufacturing, Seven Islands Land Co.; C.J.Surrells and Matt Cowett. Standing in back in no particular order: Corey Pelletier, John Kaiser, Debra Poulin, Leo Dubois, Eric Harvey, Greg MacDonald, Scott Bouchard, Perry Corriveau, Herve Plourde, Joe Flenner, Glen Condon, Frank Moro III, Wendell Rafford Jr., Dan Beaulieu, Roland Harris Jr., Dan Perreault, Alston Crandall, Ken Dubois, Emile Levesque, Ben Gagnon, Ed Bellanceau and Dennis Clark. Present but not visible or absent when the picture was taken: Sherrie Harmon, Tracy Snow-Cormier, Arthur Routhier, Jerry Morris, Clinton Condon, Keith Espling, Kelly Far Jr., Jean McPherson, John Banks, Taylor Inman, Pat Raymond, Josh Craig, Kevin Cook, Richard Friedel, Donnie Morton, Alan Nason, Mike Bouchard, Scott Pelletier, Mikeal Donovan, Jeff Poirier and Peter Lennon.
JEANNE PAQUETTE, commissioner for the Maine Department of Labor, presents the SHARP award to Wayne Law, director of manufacturing for Seven Islands Land Co., on behalf of Maine Woods Company of Portage. Maine Woods has gone over four years without a lost-time injury.
Commissioner Jeanne Paquette, Maine Department of Labor, and some of her staff made the trip to Aroostook County in late August to present Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) awards to Fraser Timber Limited in Masardis and Maine Woods Company of Portage.
This certification recognizes businesses that voluntarily undertake a rigorous safety achievement program.
“Employers earn SHARP recognition by operating their facility under exemplary safety and health management standards,” stated Gov. Paul R. LePage. “I congratulate these two Aroostook County employers, Maine Woods and Fraser Timber. When businesses and workers partner to make safety a priority, everyone benefits.”
Acceptance into SHARP by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes each business as a model for worksite safety and health standards.
“We congratulate Maine Woods and Fraser Timber for become certified,” said Paquette. “These SHARP employers demonstrate the importance of focusing on worker safety. They know that better safety means less lost time due to injury or illness as well as lower workers’ comp costs.”
To qualify for the program, companies must undergo a comprehensive audit, correct all hazards identified during an onsite health and safety consultation, demonstrate that effective safety and health programs are in place and maintain injury rates below the industry average for the last year of completed data. After awarding the SHARP designation, OSHA will remove Maine Woods and Fraser Timber from its general scheduled inspection list for two years. If the companies continue to meet all conditions of the program, the SHARP designation may be renewed for another two years.
Steve Greeley, deputy director of the MDOL, joined Paquette in congratulating the two companies.
“This is a win-win situation for everyone. This creates a safer work environment, while keeping work comp rates down. It also means businesses can be more competitive,” said Greeley, while visiting Maine Woods’ Portage facility.
Greeley said companies receiving this award are taken off OSHA’s regularly-scheduled list of businesses to inspect. “This enables OSHA to focus on businesses that may need more attention. There are only so many OSHA inspectors available, so this allows them to better use their time.”
“The main message is ‘safety measures help all,’” said Greeley.
Wayne Law, director of manufacturing, Seven Islands Land Co./Maine Woods Company, was on hand to accept the award, presented by Paquette.
“This is a big day for our company, family, for all of us. We’re proud of what’s been accomplished. We work and think safety. It’s nice to have our efforts recognized,” said Law.
Seven Islands President John McNulty was on hand for the celebration.
“Maine Woods has gone over four years with no lost-time injury. The emphasis is on you (employees) and safety. We want everyone to go home every night, safe and sound,” said McNulty. Maine Woods employs over 50 people.
Greeley said earning the SHARP award makes a business stand out as a role model for others in similar industries.
“Acceptance into SHARP is an achievement of status that will single you out among your business peers as a model for worksite safety and health. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, your worksite will be exempt from OSHA programmed inspections for the next two years,” said Greeley.
Greeley explained the process, should any business wish to participate in the SHARP program:
• Request a consultation visit that involves a complete safety and health hazard identification survey;
• Involve employees in the consultation process;
• Correct all hazards identified by the consultants;
• Implement and maintain a safety and health management system; and
• Have injury and illness rates that are below the national average for your industry classification.
“Maine Woods is one of 63 locations in the state of Maine to receive this award. In addition, there are less than 2,000 SHARP sites nationally,” said Greeley.
Peter Lennon, controller/human resources for Maine Woods, said this was the first time the company received the award.
“This is something you can either keep or lose. It takes quite a bit of work to obtain and continued effort to retain,” said Lennon, noting come October, the company will be at the five-year mark without a reported injury.
Lennon said it’s true that there’s safety in numbers.
“We credit mill safety to everyone. It’s a good safety culture from the top down,” said Lennon. “It’s a team effort.”
As of Sept. 2, Maine Woods’ website indicated the company had gone over 1,700 days without a lost-time injury.
Employers interested in learning more about becoming a SHARP worksite should contact SafetyWorks! At 877-SAFE-345 (877-723-3345) or visit www.safetyworksmaine.com.
“SafetyWorks! Provides a trained consultant with industry-specific expertise who will review the facility by appointment. The consultation may include such elements as recognizing safety hazards, sampling for air and noise exposures, recommending ways to reduce or to eliminate hazards, developing or improving a safety program, complying with federal OSHA regulations and identifying training needs,” said Greeley.
