Safety Council Honors Palm Bay Utilities Department
By Space Coast Daily // February 7, 2013
Receives Silver Corporate Safety Award
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Utilities Department was honored by the United Safety Council at its 60th annual safety awards program Jan. 25 in Orlando.
The local water and wastewater utility received a Silver Corporate Safety Award in the small company category which includes private and public companies from across the nation with 500 employees or fewer.
Utilities inspector Brian Rickert also received honorable mention for the Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) Excellence in Safety Award.
Each year the council recognizes companies that excel in the following areas — safety committee activity, senior management commitment, employee involvement, written safety and health programs, inspection programs and mishap investigation.
Palm Bay Utilities Department was recognized with a Gold Corporate Safety Award in 2011 and 2012.
“Safety is something that we talk about daily; it is a part of everything that we do. Our Environment, Health, and Safety Committee continuously looks for ways to improve the work environment so that we are able to deliver service to the community safely, efficiently, and effectively,” said Dan Roberts, Palm Bay Utilities Director.
The council is a non-profit, non-governmental, safety and health training organization dedicated to improving quality of life. The organization is headquartered in Orlando and has become an international safety training agency working to promote safety in homes, on the road, in schools, businesses, and industrial facilities.
Palm Bay Utilities Department initiated an Environmental Management Program known as GreenWay in 2008, which led to the department being certified under the ISO Standard Environmental Management System.
The GreenWay program incorporates an extensive safety program for employees within the organization, which includes training and monthly awareness meetings to ensure continual focus and improvement to each employee’s work environment.
In addition, the Utilities Department has initiated the integration of the American National Standard Institute Z12 safety management system. Fully implemented, the safety management system will provide an additional level of awareness, training, and commitment to employee safety.
For more information about the Palm Bay Utilities Department and its safety program, visit www.pbud.org or call 321-952-3410.
