Media Release

For:                  Immediate Release
Date:                May 23, 2008
 

HEALTH Promotes Participation in Safety Initiative That Aims to Cut Lost Productivity

SHARP program protects workers, lowers costs for Rhode Island companies

Department of Health (HEALTH) officials are hoping that an awards ceremony recognizing a Warwick firm for its outstanding workplace health and safety management will convince other companies to take advantage of an innovative program that can cut expenses due to accidents, injuries and lost productivity.

“In Rhode Island, almost 9000 of our 415,000 workers lost at least one workday, or had to have a job transfer due to occupational injury or illness in 2006,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH.  “The workplace is one environment where policy changes can have a huge impact on public health.  I commend Viessmann Manufacturing for going above and beyond minimum health and safety requirements to address all workplace hazards, thereby having no work related injuries or illnesses last year.”

Director Gifford and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis presented Viessmann Manufacturing Company with the Safety And Health Recognition Program (SHARP) Certification Award in front of the company’s workforce yesterday. As Secretary of State, Mollis works with every company registered to do business in Rhode Island.

“I support the SHARP initiative because I am committed to helping businesses grow,” said Mollis. “I applaud the efforts of the Department of Health to make our workplaces safer as well as Viessmann’s remarkable achievement.”

Viessmann becomes just the sixth Rhode Island firm to have SHARP certification. Viessmann manufactures a comprehensive range of advanced hot water heating products and renewable energy systems for residential and commercial uses. Annual sales exceed $1.2 billion worldwide.

“We are proud to have earned the SHARP Certification and to provide such a high standard of health and safety at our facility", reports Jürgen Fimmers, Viessmann’s Inside Operations Manager. “In addition to the benefits to our workforce, this honor significantly helped reduce the cost of our workman’s compensation insurance.”

In addition to the expected cost savings, SHARP certification makes companies eligible for a 3-year exemption from programmed inspections by OSHA. SHARP Certification is awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and recognizes companies with outstanding workplace health and safety management.

To receive SHARP Certification participants must meet SHARP requirements, such as lowering the Lost-Workday Injury and Illness Rate and the Total Recordable Case Rate below the national average, and implementing a health and safety management system that addresses OSHA's 1989 Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines.

For more information about the SHARP Program, contact Bob Vanderslice at the Department of Health at 222-7766 or visit www.health.ri.gov/environment/occupational/consultation.php.