Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
RECOGNIZED — Bison Pumps was recognized as the newest business for the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) on Oct. 4. SHARP is a prestigious award for worksite safety. Displaying the plaque are, from left, Steve Greeley, deputy director of the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards Workplace Safety and Health Division; Dave Harbison, general manager of Bison Pumps; Michele King, controller at Bison Pumps and Pamela Taylor, director of the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards.
Bison Pumps was recognized as the newest Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) site in the state on Oct. 4.
Maine Department of Labor’s SafetyWorks! staff was on hand at the 98 Bangor St. location to present the award to David Harbison and his crew during an open house for Bison Pumps and Harbison Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
SHARP, according to Steven Greeley, deputy director of the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards Workplace Safety and Health Division, recognizes employers who “operate with an exemplary safety and health management system,” he said. “Acceptance into SHARP is an achievement of status that will single you out among your business peers as a model for worksite safety and health.”
By receiving the SHARP standard, Bison Pumps will be exempted from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) program inspections for two years.
Bison Pumps is considered a small employer by the Maine Department of Labor’s “SafetyWorks!” division, along with OSHA, as they employee 250 or less in a high hazard workplace.
“This is wonderful,” said Harbison general manager of Bison Pumps. “It is a great recognition. We worked hard for it with all of Michele’s help. She knew how to orchestrate it, she knew how to administer it and she created our safety program. She is a great resource, so we are very proud to receive this honor.”
Harbison refers to Michele King, controller.
Greeley noted that Bison Pumps is one of 63 locations in the state to achieve this award. In addition, he said, “there are less than 2,000 SHARP sites nationally.”
“They are in a very elite group,” said Greeley.
“It’s a prestigious award, one that they should take pride in,” said Pamela Taylor, director of the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards. “Not so much for your competitors, but anyone in a high hazardous industry.
“You set the bar,” she said speaking to Harbison.
There are other businesses locally who have attained the SHARP status and Greeley said he has seen where they have received other awards and they have highlighted the SHARP award among those honors.
“Another company had it out in their main entry way and one of the customers coming in commented about how difficult it is to [receive the award]. If you pay that much attention to detail, as far as getting something like the SHARP award, well you must do the same as far as your products,” added Greeley.
Bison Pumps does at least 75 to 80 percent of their business via the Internet.
“You are competing on the Internet with companies worldwide,” added Taylor. “You have recognition of one of 2,000.”
“I know I have a quality workforce and each person is vital to our success. It was an obvious decision we protect that investment through our safety and health efforts,” added Harbison.
With Bison Pumps getting the SHARP recognition, Greeley wants other companies to know that they can also reach out for help from the Department of Labor.
“If a company wants assistance with safety and health, we are a free and confidential service,” explained Greeley. “Even if they do not feel they are ready for the SHARP Program, they can still call us and we can still assist them.”
Even if a company may take a few years of working with to reach the SHARP status, Greeley noted, the department will work with them.
Harbison added, “We would be happy to be a testimonial to any other company. You guys are awesome.”
“Even if you get someone in the area or as far south as Bangor, we would go and talk to them and explain how beneficial it was to us,” he added. “It was a great service.”
The Maine Department of Labor’s SafetyWorks! staff came into Bison Pumps and did a preliminary site survey.
“It was to see what we were building and how we were building it,” explained Harbison. “Do we have a safety manual and what does it look like; and what are we doing right and what are we doing wrong. They were just a wealth of information.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
IN IT TOGETHER — Bison Pumps was recently honored with the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award. Showing the sign to be displayed are Bison Pumps employees, left to right, front, Judy Lawson, Michele King, David Harbison, Glenn Kreyssig, Dave Richardson and Kim Folsom; back, Lee Vincent, Tom Brewer, Harmon Folkins, Jerry LaRue, Bill Lane and Levi Cyr.
“A lot of stuff we thought we were doing pretty good, wasn’t quite right,” he added with a laugh. “That is good. That is what we want. We don’t want someone to come in and tell us we are great and we are doing everything perfect. It’s nice to hear, but there has to be something we are not doing right or could be done better.
Jane Garland, occupational health specialist, had performed air monitoring for Bison Pumps.
“That was really important because we spent all of this money on this machinery. It is suppose to work that is what it is designed to do. But, how do we know? You can walk in there and not smell anything. It looks clean. It must be working. We really did not know until it was monitored and tested. So now, we know from those test results that our money was well invested. It is protecting the employees and it was worth it.”
Harbison noted his company will continue its association with SafetyWorks! because he would like to add another year to the plaque he received.
“Just because he got the award,” said Greeley, “we are not going to abandon him. We are in this for the long haul. Nothing would make me happier than to keep coming back every two years and replacing that plate.”
Harbison has already spoken to Joe Bergan, occupational safety engineer, about more instructional workshops for his employees.
“We got here, but there is more to do,” added Harbison.
“Not only does SHARP recognize Bison Pumps’ efforts in workplace safety for their employees, but it is also beneficial to the employer with reduced worker’s comp rates,” said Taylor. “It pays off on both ends. Safety pays.”
“It certainly does,” said Harbison.
Greeley can be reached by calling 623-7900/ 623-7916 or e-mail Steven.L.Greeley @maine.gov, while Taylor can be reached by calling 623-7932 or e-mail pamela.taylor @maine.gov.
During the day, Bison Pumps allows tours of the plant with employees working their stations so the community can learn more about the manufacture of Bison’s hand water pumps. In addition, people can tour working applications of heat pumps, geothermal systems and pellet boilers by team members of Harbison Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning organization. Those interested in seeing any of these applications should call to schedule an appointment at 1-800-339-2601 or 532-2600.
Bison Pumps is no longer the hidden gem. It is shining in the community.
