David and Goliath competition ends on safe footing
By MICHELLE BOSWORTH
Staff Writer
A little over a year ago, Glenn Thiessen of Parkside Homes called the city of Hillsboro's building inspector, Martin Rhodes, and proposed a little friendly competition. Could the city employees beat the Parkside employees in a yearlong safety contest? Which organization could go that long without any employee work time lost due to accidents or injuries? Rhodes accepted the challenge.
Hillsboro's city employees were going up against an organization that had accumulated 500,000 hours with no injury accidents. Parkside's goal is to reach a million hours of keeping employees and residents safe.
Not only were the city employees meeting the challenge of a seasoned Goliath, but according to Rhodes, their employees continually have a much greater exposure to potential accidents and injuries.
City workers include office personnel, police officers, electrical linemen, water and sewer workers, trash collectors, etc. They come in contact with just about every conceivable situation and work with high voltage wires, "unforgiving" machines, and whatever Mother Nature dishes out. Nonetheless, the city's estimated 25 employees got down to business.
Rhodes said the competition has been good for the city. They brought in an outside agency to give day-long seminars and provide monthly safety meetings with topics ranging from shoring trenches safely to the proper use of ladders and scaffolds.
The city uses positive reinforcement to "catch" their people as they follow safety procedures. When a department head notices safe behavior, he writes the person's name on a paper. At monthly safety meetings, a winner will be drawn from the accumulated names and that person wins a $10.00 chamber certificate.
The extra effort has made all employees much more safety conscious. And it has reduced insurance rates.
"Glenn challenged us," Rhodes said, "and we've had a good time with them."
Although they were competing, Parkside and city safety personnel were also working together to brainstorm and share ideas for success. "Friendly" competition was being used to educate and build up each organization's safety awareness and participation.
Parkside, with about 100 employees, had been focused on safety for a long time. Because back injuries can be a serious problem to those who work in assisted care facilities, Parkside employees use mechanical lifts and work in teams.
Parkside also promotes pre-shift warm-up exercises. Employees clock in and spend time stretching, bending, and getting their muscles ready for work. Thiessen says it also is an opportunity for people to switch gears from home to work and prepare for the day.
Parkside also gives employees the opportunity to have blood work done, bone density and cholesterol checked, and blood pressure monitored yearly.
Every quarter, the safety committee has held a barbecue for employees and had drawings for various items from televisions to mugs.
And now after a year of competition, the winner prevails. Last Friday, the two groups came together for a special barbecue and victory celebration. They feasted on Dale's Hillsboro Sausage, chips, and pop, and a few people enjoyed (endured?) pie in the face.
So who won? Goliath or David? The challenger or the challenged?
Actually, both groups completed the year accident free. And both groups learned a lot about safety, friendly competition, and raising the bar of excellence.
Glenn Thiessen is enthusiastic about the accomplishment. "I want to challenge the rest of the community to do the same."
