Teresa James, an executive assistant in the personnel office, displays the recognition award given to the district by the Richland County Safety Council.
Mansfield City Schools’ work to prevent employee accidents and injuries was recognized by the Richland County Safety Council on Thursday.
The council noted that the district recorded 620,174 hours worked from May 5 to Dec. 5 last year with no injuries that resulted in lost time.
“I am able to work with administrators and principals in getting employees back to work after an injury, even if they are assigned to light duty for a while,” said Teresa James, executive assistant in the district’s personnel office.
“We try to accommodate the needs of employees to make sure they are safe within restrictions to get them back to work.”
James participates in the safety council’s monthly meetings and was present to accept the award at Thursday’s annual session.
“The meetings are very helpful. They are an opportunity to share information and ideas about the best ways to assure employee safety,” she said.
The district’s safety record has monetary value too. Avoiding lost-time injuries earns a rebate of 2 to 4 percent in premiums paid to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. James said that savings can range from $2,000 to $6,000 annually.
Additionally, the district earns a 2 percent premium discount for participating in the safety council.
James estimated that the number of annual district employee work-related injuries has been cut in half since 2008.
“We emphasize ways to keep our workplaces safe,” she said. “Not every injury can be avoided, of course. Winter is the worst time with slips and falls.”
The Richland County Safety Council, incorporated in 1972, is an independent organization dedicated to increasing learning and promotion safety awareness in the workplace and community. It is open to all companies, agencies, organizations and individuals in the county.