For the fourth year in a row, Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration recognized Port of Portland marine maintenance at Terminal 6, and other marine employees for demonstrating exemplary safety improvements at the workplace.
The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, SHARP award, recognizes employers and employees that work together and promote safe working conditions, and experience a steady decline in workforce injuries.
William Kloster, Safety Consultant for Oregon OSHA presented the awards, along with Bill Wyatt, executive director for the Port, Vince Granato, chief operating officer, and Judy Johansen, former commission president.
On the working waterfront, there is a greater risk of being exposed to certain outdoor hazards and heavy machinery rather than indoor elements. Despite this fact, the trend of workforce incidents at the Port’s marine facilities have reduced significantly, and continue to decrease, thanks in part to everyone taking an active role in safety.
When an employer is approved for the second and subsequent years in SHARP, they are deferred from the schedule of inspections performed by Oregon OSHA. This and is considered an honorable acknowledgement by the organization that an employer is doing a tremendous job at maintaining safety and health at the workplace.
Steve Eversmeyer, safety and loss control manager at the Port, says the program prompts ideas that save the Port time, money and most importantly injuries. Employees now take a more active role in providing recommendations to managers about new methods and procedures to minimize workplace hazards.
The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program continues to lead the way for other groups at the Port such as aviation, navigation, properties and business management. Port employees now take a more active role in providing recommendations to managers about new methods and procedures to minimize workplace hazards.
