Hill County safety meeting discusses WorkSafe Champions

In a Wednesday safety meeting, Hill County Officials discussed new classes for county employees, the Hill County Courthouse’s new broadband and the arrival of a few new employees.

Hill County Commission Administrative Assistant Sheri Williams, also the county’s safety coordinator, said the county’s WorkSafe Champions classes will begin later this month, and she’s put together a 14-person committee that will take what is learned from those classes and use it to improve the county’s safety culture.

She said Hill County has one of the highest workers’ compensation rates in the state, and she’s hoping this program will help get that situation under control, improve safety at the county and save tax-payers some money in the process.

She said the classes will be split into nine one hour to hour-and-a-half-long modules, and she’s gotten participants from every department, especially those which have particularly high workers’ comp rates.

She said the goal is for these classes to be fun and interesting, but attendance will be important and show that the county’s various departments at all levels are committed to improving the county’s work culture.

“We need the whole county involved,” Williams said.

Hill County Commissioner Diane McLean said putting all this together was a significant amount of work on the part of Williams, and she’s happy she managed to get so many people on board.

McLean said the courthouse’s new media cart also arrived last week, which will be helpful for safety training.

In past meetings, the Hill County Commissioners have said the cart includes a smart TV monitor and computer that can be used for virtual meetings, trainings and other things around the courthouse.

McLean also said the courthouse’s new broadband has been installed and the commissioners have the password for employees as well as the password for the courthouse’s public wifi.

During the meeting, Hill County Commissioner Jake Strissel also said the courthouse’s new carpet is still on the way.

Hill County Building Manager Daryl Anez also took some time to introduce his successor, Joe Smith, who will soon be dealing more closely with the county’s officials.

Hill County Public Health Director Kim Berg, also the county’s health officer, in addition to briefly introducing her department’s new disease intervention specialist, announced that her department has hired a congregate living coordinator.

Berg said the coordinator would work with assisted-living and long-term-care facilities, as well as the Havre Day Activity Center, Montana State University-Northern’s dorms and the Hill County Detention Center.

She said the coordinator would act as the point of contact between these entities and the department in event of an outbreak, provide information and education as well as assistance with disease prevention.