County Box & Pallet celebrates safety milestone
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Workplace safety is a priority for employees at County Box & Pallet — something that shows with their recent award recognizing 500 days without a day lost due to injury during a special barbecue luncheon held March 31.
Photo courtesy of Sue Smith
CELEBRATING 500 days without a lost-time injury with a special luncheon March 31 were the staff of County Box & Pallet. Pictured in front from left are: Richard Wilcox, Raymond Bucklin, Stephanie Hanson, Leona York, Justin Gauvin, Shawn Maddox, Justin Johnston and Donald Kelley. In back: Nathan Driscoll; Amy Thurlow; Paul Doucette; Sue Smith, work services manager; Robert Little; Ron Doustou; Milford Helton; Charlotte Cote; Doug Allen; Dave Fitzherbert; and Glenn Miles.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
WORKPLACE SAFETY AWARD — Employees at County Box & Pallet of Presque Isle were recognized March 31 for going 500 days without a lost-time injury. Pictured here building pallets, from left are: Doug Allen and Dave Fitzherbert, both of Presque Isle.
“We have about 20 employees. We repair pallets for farmers and build new pallets for businesses, using a variety of machines and equipment. Going 500 days without a lost-time injury is very impressive, given the work performed,” said Sue Smith, the company’s work services manager.
Formerly located at the Industrial Park, County Box & Pallet now calls 95 Houlton Rd. home. Founded in 1996, the business is the work services division of the Central Aroostook Association, providing clients with both training and employment opportunities.
“Scott Searles is our director. Our employees are very focused; they take their work very seriously and it shows. They are trained to use the forklifts, pneumatic nail guns and other equipment,” said Smith.
Smith said the workplace atmosphere is very positive.
“It’s a great work environment. Everyone gets along. We joke, we laugh — but never at the expense of safety. Safety comes first,” she said.
Employees come from throughout Aroostook, including: Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle and Washburn.
“They like to do everything — show an interest in learning new things. Each individual is trained on every piece of equipment,” Smith said.
Smith credited another local business with making work easier for some of her employees.
“A business owner in Presque Isle adapted one of our forklifts so anyone can drive it. One of our employees has limited mobility and couldn’t reach the controls. The owner of the company adapted the machine so this person could reach the levers to operate the forklift,” said Smith, noting the business owner wished to remain anonymous.
“He’s done a lot of work for us, repairing and adapting things whenever we need him. He’s one of our strongest supporters and we appreciate everything he does for us,” continued Smith.
County Box & Pallet reached the safety milestone in February and celebrated the achievement with a luncheon Monday, complete with a special banner to mark the occasion and a special meal.
“We hit 500 days working without a lost-time injury on Feb. 27. That’s a pretty big achievement in a regular working environment, but given the type of work we do, it’s an even greater accomplishment,” said Smith. “Our employees take pride in their safety and that of others.”
Smith said employees enjoy what they do and show it through positive work attitudes.
“Our employees understand the importance of being careful and knowing the importance of taking their jobs seriously. We provide a work environment that adapts to their special needs and respect them for a job well done. In return, they commit 100 percent to doing the best job possible,” said Smith.
