Labor commissioner awards employer for high standards
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The state labor department recognized Madigan Health Care Services for its proactive approach to a secure professional environment with a Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certificate. Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman presented the certificate saying “it represents Madigan Health Care Services’ high standards and employee involvement in creating a safe workplace.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
SAFETY FIRST — Maine Labor Commissioner, Laura Fortman, presents the SHARP certification for a safe and healthy work environment to Madigan Health Care Services Business Administrator, Jim Brown. Standing, from left are Danny Clark, Annette Boutilier, Brenda Brown, Jim Brown, Laura Fortman, Carol Swallow, Kindall White and Lisa Bates. Seated are Mary Ann Marciniak, Dawn Michaud, Jennifer Gooley and Janice DeLong.
Madigan Health Care has 86 residents in its a long-term skilled nursing facility and 47 additional men and women in residential care. The company also operates a home-care agency for more than 150 people who require some skilled nursing or therapy in their own homes each year.
Madigan administrator, Brenda Brown, said one of the incentives for achieving this award is “to make a safe place for employees and residents to live and work.” And, she adds, the savings from reduced workers’ compensation premiums are passed on to the employees. “We reviewed our procedures and reduced our lost days. We completed over 365 days of non-lost time due to workplace injuries.”
Among the proper work-place habits and training employees received were proper use of equipment, proper procedures when lifting patients and equipment, chemical handling and usage, hazardous material handling and disposal.
As a result of earning the SHARP certificate, Madigan has demonstrated that it has adopted and implemented effective safety and health management systems and will seek consultation if working conditions change to introduce new hazards. The city of Caribou and Madigan Health Care were the only recipients of the SHARP certificate in Aroostook County.
