SHARP Alliance - Testimonials

PRAISE FOR THE PROGRAM!

Stepping Stone Residential Services, Inc.

The work leading up to our first year of SHARP recognition was accomplished, in large part, due to the support we received from the OR-OSHA consultants. We collaborated as a team toward the same goal of workplace safety.

The Safety Committee and the employees of Stepping Stone Residential Services, Inc. have made a significant effort to improve the safety habits, policies, programs, and procedures utilized within the organization to insure a safe workplace environment for all our employees.

Obtaining SHARP status has provided the Safety Committee with a focal point and additional motivation for continued quality improvement and provided a roadmap to the ultimate goal of eliminating workplace injuries and illnesses. The hard work and outcomes of the Safety Committee members, management, and all employees continues to insure us worthy of SHARP recognition. We are currently weeks away from our third year. With the recent addition of Stepping Stone's Safety Coordinator to the SHARP Alliance board the "team" is even larger as we continue our pursuit of excellence in safety programs, policies, and procedures.

(Submitted 8/23/2007)
Denise Lamb
Unit Supervisor / Oregon SHARP Alliance Secretary
Stepping Stone Residential Services, Inc.
Grants Pass OR (541) 479-7597

Marvin Wood Products

Our Safety Policy states: " Marvin Wood Products will provide a SAFE place to work, we expect YOU to work SAFELY while you are here".

Oregon OSHA and the SHARP program have provided a valuable catalyst to our company. The consultative efforts and support of Oregon OSHA have allowed us to develop a premier safety culture, built on a solid foundation and continuously improved through employee involvement. A sampling of employee statements regarding the impact of Oregon OSHA and the SHARP Program include:

The SHARP program opened the door to work with OR-OSHA as a partner rather than an opponent.
The SHARP program served as a vehicle to strengthen our Injury and Illness program.
OR-OSHA started us with a simple approach that developed strong programs and raised our awareness.
They helped us bring all the layers together.
OR-OSHA provided positive help and direction. The SHARP program taught us how to be successful with our own resources.
We refer to OR-OSHA and Marvin Wood Products as part of the same team, it's not US and THEM anymore.

Marvin Wood Products was recently recognized as a fourth year SHARP company, our next goal is to achieve VPP.

(Submitted 7/19/02) Dennis Elder, Human Resource Manager
Marvin Wood Products
Baker City OR 97814
(541) 523-6318

Graphic Arts Center

We have received most of the positive benefits that we expected when we first applied for the SHARP certification.

Among the benefits we expected were a lowered Incident Rate and by extension less Lost-Time injuries. In obtaining these goals we have naturally lowered the costs resulting from injuries. A price cannot be placed upon the feeling of confidence we now have that our employees can come to work and go home while being free of injury.

At the same time, through the SHARP Program, we have been able to demonstrate time and again to our employees that we truly care about their safety. Morale has definitely been impacted by this.

One area of benefit that we didn't predict is how we now have a great tool to attract new clients. It's amazing how many large companies with well established safety programs are now requiring their vendors to provide a safe working environment. From time to time, one of these companies will ask for some "evidence" of the quality of our safety program. As a SHARP recipient and a SHARP Alliance delegate, I can now send our potential clients a link to both websites where we are listed prominently.

(Submitted 7/18/02)
Jeff Anderson, Safety/Environmental Director
Graphic Arts Center, Inc.
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 224-7777 Ext. 428

R & H Construction

Working with OR-OSHA in the SHARP program for the last five years has helped elevate our company safety program to the next level.

It has been very beneficial in changing our safety program from one that looked good on paper to one that is an important working part of all aspects of our company from the accounting department to the carpenter on the job site.

Submitted 7/12/02
Gary Stonewall, Safety Coordinator
R & H Construction, Inc.
Portland, OR 97062
(503) 228-7177

	Lebanon Community Hospital SHARP has empowered the employees of Lebanon Community Hospital to explore creative safety solutions. A safer environment for workers translates into a safer environment for our patients and visitors!
Submitted 7/11/02 Deborah L. Fell-Carlson, BSN,RN,COHN-S Lebanon Community Hospital Lebanon OR 97355 (541) 451-7028

Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries

Our relationship with OR-OSHA and the SHARP program is the perfect partnership.

Obviously safety is is of the utmost importance to our organization, and the SHARP program provides one more tool we utilize to meet our goals. The networking is wonderful & everyone here strives to ensure we achieve and maintain the standards SHARP requires. In addition we are the first vocational service organization to be recognized as an Oregon-SHARP participant for outstanding awareness and employee involvement in safety programs.

(Submitted 7/10/02)
Steve Martin, Loss Prevention/Safety Manager
Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries
Medford Or. 97501
(541) 772-3300

Pioneer Cut Stock, Inc.

The SHARP program offered by OR-OSHA was one of the best things that ever happened to our safety program here at (Pioneer Cut Stock) PCS.

It became the tool we used to not only identify and improve in certain areas but it was, and continues to be, the tool we use to establish our goals for continuous improvement. Use of this program created a new sense of teamwork and cooperation. The initial goal was to improve safety. The side effects were increased morale, more production, higher quality and less turnover. An atmosphere or pride and accomplishment came to be associated with the term SHARP.

(Submitted 09/01/01)
Gerry Gerlach, Human Resource Manager
Pioneer Cut Stock, Inc.
Prineville, OR. 97754
(541) 447-5962

Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority

We here at Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority feel that OR-OSHA consultation helped us organize, and document our original good safety program into an award winning program, that is systematic, all encompassing, and usable by all of our employees.

We have confirmed our long held belief that education, consultation and partnership is far more successful and productive than the hammer of enforcement.

We applaud OR-OSHA for implementing and emphasizing this consultation program. We would highly recommend it to anyone.

(Submitted 8/23/01)
J.M. McCauley, Operations Manager
Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority
Medford OR
(541) 779-4186

Core-Mark International

The SHARP program has saved this division of this company (Core-Mark International) over a third of a million dollars, as well as having saved employees from many months of unnecessary pain and suffering.

Through the savings generated by our involvement in SHARP, we have been able to afford many building and system upgrades.

It has been the backbone of production increases, higher building sanitation scores, lower employee turnover, increased employee morale and much employee recognition through the local and regional news media.

(Submitted 6/25/01) Jack Cooper, Division Operations Manager
Core-Mark International
Grants Pass, Oregon
(541)476-6651