MEMIC Awards Include Citations for Excellence to Maine Employers
June 21, 1999 | Corporate
PORTLAND, Maine, June 21, 1999 – At its Annual Meeting, Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC) made awards to 16 Maine companies for outstanding performance in safety and managing injuries.
"These companies are leaders in the state of Maine," MEMIC President and CEO John T. Leonard said. "Because of the commitment made by these employers and their employees, fewer people get hurt and those who are injured on the job have the support they need to recover and return to work."
MEMIC, Maine's largest and leading workers' compensation insurance company, presented awards to just 16 of its more than 18,500 policyholders. The winners are: American Tool Companies American Tool Companies of Westbrook, Andover Wood Products Andover Wood Products of Andover, Commonsense Housing Commonsense Housing of Bangor, Cumberland Farms Cumberland Farms, General Alum and Chemical General Alum and Chemical of Searsport, Hughes Brothers Construction Hughes Brothers Construction of Hampden, Immix Technologies' Cri-Sil Division of Biddeford, the Kennebec County Commissioners, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital of Ellsworth, Mayo Regional Hospital of Dover Foxcroft, Moosehead Manufacturing of Monson, Moss, Inc.. of Belfast, Northeastern Environmental Services of Pittsfield, Northeast Paper Services of Scarborough, Page Employment of Bangor, and Vogel and Vogel Construction of Brooks.
American Tool Companies of Westbrook was cited for its enlightened management of workers who get hurt on the job. American Tool has a management system in place before an injury happens. When a worker suffers an injury, he or she is given appropriate medical care, then has a chance to return to work in an alternative duty job until the worker is ready to return to their original job. American Tool is insured with MEMIC through AON Risk Services.
Andover Wood Products, owned by Ethan Allen, Inc., won an award from MEMIC for its attention to injured workers. The company works to reduce risk of injury but when an injury does occur, Andover reacts quickly to help the worker recover and back to work as soon as is appropriate. Andover was cited particularly for finding alternative work opportunities for workers who are not yet ready to return to their original jobs. Andover Wood Products is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
Commonsense Housing of Bangor is a social service agency, serving formerly institutionalized clients in group homes in the Greater Bangor area. The organization was cited for its safety program which includes a well-supported policy for using mechanical lifts to move those clients who need assistance. By using the client lifts, workers at Commonsense Housing are less likely to suffer serious back injuries. The organization has had only one lost-time injury since 1994. Commonsense Housing is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
Cumberland Farms deals with multiple locations and employee schedules that are flexible. Despite those challenges, Cumberland Farms has identified medical providers for each store and finds innovative ways to keep people on the job. Cumberland Farms is insured with MEMIC through the Commercial Insurance Exchange of Rhode Island. General Alum and Chemical of Searsport is a manufacturer of ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate. In six years the company's employees have suffered just two injuries and have gone for 1,388 days without a lost-time injury. That amounts to more than four years, despite a 24-hour per day operation.
General Alum and Chemical is insured with MEMIC through Clark Associates. Hughes Brothers Construction of Hampden was cited for its safety program. The company has instituted a program of regular in-house training sessions in safety for all employees. As a result, the company has gone two years with only one minor injury.
Hughes Brothers is insured with MEMIC through Varney Agency. Immix Technologies' Cri-Sil Division is located in Biddeford and employs 35. The company manufactures silicone products. Since it began in 1994, the company has made safety a priority. The company has not had an injury which resulted in an employee losing time from work in two years.
Immix Technologies is insured with MEMIC through Anderson Watkins Insurance. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital of Ellsworth received an award for helping its employees recover from injuries and return to work. The organization treats workers injured at work through an in-house special unit. Through this unit, the organization has medical providers who understand the alternative work opportunities within the hospitals. These allow recovering workers to resume work without the strain of their original job. Once they have regained the capacity to work in their original positions, they can then return to those jobs.
Maine Coast Memorial is insured with MEMIC through Sedgwick James of Northern New England. Mayo Regional Hospital of Dover Foxcroft is a regional healthcare facility. The organization also received its award for management of claims. Mayo is also accomplished in safety, with an injury rate below that of the industry. However, when an injury does occur, Mayo acts quickly to treat the worker and get him or her back to work.
Mayo is insured with MEMIC through the George E. Howard Agency. Mooshead Manufacturing of Monson is a maker of wood furniture, a business with inherent risks. The company received the award for helping to get injured workers well and back on the job promptly. While Moosehead pays close attention to workplace safety, it knows that it must be ready to deal with any workplace injury. Therefore, the company has developed a plan which swings into action whenever an injury occurs.
Moosehead Manufacturing is insured with MEMIC through Morse, Payson and Noyes. Moss, Inc. of Belfast was cited for its safety program. The company has implemented eight formal safety-training programs for various groups of employees. The company has concentrated its efforts on proper ergonomics, including employee training. The company has re-engineered workstations to make them ergonomically correct, implemented an offers a wellness program that includes access to a complete employee stretching program and exercise room.
Moss, Inc. is insured with MEMIC through the Allen Agency of Camden. Northeast Paper Services of Scarborough is a specialty cutting and re-wrapping company, serving Maine's papermaking industry. The company was cited for its attention to safety. Since founding the company 18 months ago, founder Ralph Carpenter has provided training and follow-up for employees. As a result, the company has not suffered a single lost-time injury. Northeast Paper Services is insured with MEMIC through Clark Associates.
Northeastern Environmental Services of Pittsfield won an award from MEMIC for its safety program. NES, an asbestos removal contractor, and its sister company, Northeastern Insurance Services have not had a serious injury in the six years they have been insured with MEMIC. The company stresses training and its leadership requires safe worksites. NES is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
Page Employment of Bangor is a temporary services company, a difficult business when it comes to safety and workers' compensation. Page was cited for its work in managing claims and finding alternative work for their workers who get hurt. Page is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
The Kennebec County Commissioners Office, based in Augusta, employs 135 workers in a dynamic working environment which includes police work and jail duties. Despite an often difficult environment, Kennebec County has developed a safe working environment for its employees. This year the county was cited for its efforts in helping injured workers to get well and return to work. The Kennebec County Commissioners are insured with MEMIC through the GHM Agency.
Vogel and Vogel Construction of Brooks is a specialist in building shelving for such large retail chains as Rite-Aid Pharmacies and Fashion Bug Clothing Stores. The company has been insured with MEMIC since 1993 and has recorded just two minor injuries. Company president Martin Vogel leads the safety effort, traveling to various worksites each week and always speaking about safety. Vogel and Vogel Construction is insured with MEMIC through Clark and Bennet Insurance.
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About MEMIC
MEMIC, a workers' compensation specialty company based in Portland, Maine, insures more than 18,500 of the state's 27,000 insured businesses. Since the company was formed in 1993, it has led the Partnership for Workplace Safety campaign. Since the company was formed, lost-time injuries in Maine have fallen by more than one-third and the overall cost of insurance has decreased, on average, by 50 percent. The company's pledge to treat injured workers fairly and equitably is backed up by its performance. According to State of Maine figures, MEMIC pays legitimate claims faster, disputes fewer claims and resolves more disputes at mediation than any other insurance company.
"These companies are leaders in the state of Maine," MEMIC President and CEO John T. Leonard said. "Because of the commitment made by these employers and their employees, fewer people get hurt and those who are injured on the job have the support they need to recover and return to work."
MEMIC, Maine's largest and leading workers' compensation insurance company, presented awards to just 16 of its more than 18,500 policyholders. The winners are: American Tool Companies American Tool Companies of Westbrook, Andover Wood Products Andover Wood Products of Andover, Commonsense Housing Commonsense Housing of Bangor, Cumberland Farms Cumberland Farms, General Alum and Chemical General Alum and Chemical of Searsport, Hughes Brothers Construction Hughes Brothers Construction of Hampden, Immix Technologies' Cri-Sil Division of Biddeford, the Kennebec County Commissioners, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital of Ellsworth, Mayo Regional Hospital of Dover Foxcroft, Moosehead Manufacturing of Monson, Moss, Inc.. of Belfast, Northeastern Environmental Services of Pittsfield, Northeast Paper Services of Scarborough, Page Employment of Bangor, and Vogel and Vogel Construction of Brooks.
American Tool Companies of Westbrook was cited for its enlightened management of workers who get hurt on the job. American Tool has a management system in place before an injury happens. When a worker suffers an injury, he or she is given appropriate medical care, then has a chance to return to work in an alternative duty job until the worker is ready to return to their original job. American Tool is insured with MEMIC through AON Risk Services.
Andover Wood Products, owned by Ethan Allen, Inc., won an award from MEMIC for its attention to injured workers. The company works to reduce risk of injury but when an injury does occur, Andover reacts quickly to help the worker recover and back to work as soon as is appropriate. Andover was cited particularly for finding alternative work opportunities for workers who are not yet ready to return to their original jobs. Andover Wood Products is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
Commonsense Housing of Bangor is a social service agency, serving formerly institutionalized clients in group homes in the Greater Bangor area. The organization was cited for its safety program which includes a well-supported policy for using mechanical lifts to move those clients who need assistance. By using the client lifts, workers at Commonsense Housing are less likely to suffer serious back injuries. The organization has had only one lost-time injury since 1994. Commonsense Housing is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
Cumberland Farms deals with multiple locations and employee schedules that are flexible. Despite those challenges, Cumberland Farms has identified medical providers for each store and finds innovative ways to keep people on the job. Cumberland Farms is insured with MEMIC through the Commercial Insurance Exchange of Rhode Island. General Alum and Chemical of Searsport is a manufacturer of ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate. In six years the company's employees have suffered just two injuries and have gone for 1,388 days without a lost-time injury. That amounts to more than four years, despite a 24-hour per day operation.
General Alum and Chemical is insured with MEMIC through Clark Associates. Hughes Brothers Construction of Hampden was cited for its safety program. The company has instituted a program of regular in-house training sessions in safety for all employees. As a result, the company has gone two years with only one minor injury.
Hughes Brothers is insured with MEMIC through Varney Agency. Immix Technologies' Cri-Sil Division is located in Biddeford and employs 35. The company manufactures silicone products. Since it began in 1994, the company has made safety a priority. The company has not had an injury which resulted in an employee losing time from work in two years.
Immix Technologies is insured with MEMIC through Anderson Watkins Insurance. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital of Ellsworth received an award for helping its employees recover from injuries and return to work. The organization treats workers injured at work through an in-house special unit. Through this unit, the organization has medical providers who understand the alternative work opportunities within the hospitals. These allow recovering workers to resume work without the strain of their original job. Once they have regained the capacity to work in their original positions, they can then return to those jobs.
Maine Coast Memorial is insured with MEMIC through Sedgwick James of Northern New England. Mayo Regional Hospital of Dover Foxcroft is a regional healthcare facility. The organization also received its award for management of claims. Mayo is also accomplished in safety, with an injury rate below that of the industry. However, when an injury does occur, Mayo acts quickly to treat the worker and get him or her back to work.
Mayo is insured with MEMIC through the George E. Howard Agency. Mooshead Manufacturing of Monson is a maker of wood furniture, a business with inherent risks. The company received the award for helping to get injured workers well and back on the job promptly. While Moosehead pays close attention to workplace safety, it knows that it must be ready to deal with any workplace injury. Therefore, the company has developed a plan which swings into action whenever an injury occurs.
Moosehead Manufacturing is insured with MEMIC through Morse, Payson and Noyes. Moss, Inc. of Belfast was cited for its safety program. The company has implemented eight formal safety-training programs for various groups of employees. The company has concentrated its efforts on proper ergonomics, including employee training. The company has re-engineered workstations to make them ergonomically correct, implemented an offers a wellness program that includes access to a complete employee stretching program and exercise room.
Moss, Inc. is insured with MEMIC through the Allen Agency of Camden. Northeast Paper Services of Scarborough is a specialty cutting and re-wrapping company, serving Maine's papermaking industry. The company was cited for its attention to safety. Since founding the company 18 months ago, founder Ralph Carpenter has provided training and follow-up for employees. As a result, the company has not suffered a single lost-time injury. Northeast Paper Services is insured with MEMIC through Clark Associates.
Northeastern Environmental Services of Pittsfield won an award from MEMIC for its safety program. NES, an asbestos removal contractor, and its sister company, Northeastern Insurance Services have not had a serious injury in the six years they have been insured with MEMIC. The company stresses training and its leadership requires safe worksites. NES is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
Page Employment of Bangor is a temporary services company, a difficult business when it comes to safety and workers' compensation. Page was cited for its work in managing claims and finding alternative work for their workers who get hurt. Page is insured with MEMIC through the Dunlap Corporation.
The Kennebec County Commissioners Office, based in Augusta, employs 135 workers in a dynamic working environment which includes police work and jail duties. Despite an often difficult environment, Kennebec County has developed a safe working environment for its employees. This year the county was cited for its efforts in helping injured workers to get well and return to work. The Kennebec County Commissioners are insured with MEMIC through the GHM Agency.
Vogel and Vogel Construction of Brooks is a specialist in building shelving for such large retail chains as Rite-Aid Pharmacies and Fashion Bug Clothing Stores. The company has been insured with MEMIC since 1993 and has recorded just two minor injuries. Company president Martin Vogel leads the safety effort, traveling to various worksites each week and always speaking about safety. Vogel and Vogel Construction is insured with MEMIC through Clark and Bennet Insurance.
About MEMIC
MEMIC, a workers' compensation specialty company based in Portland, Maine, insures more than 18,500 of the state's 27,000 insured businesses. Since the company was formed in 1993, it has led the Partnership for Workplace Safety campaign. Since the company was formed, lost-time injuries in Maine have fallen by more than one-third and the overall cost of insurance has decreased, on average, by 50 percent. The company's pledge to treat injured workers fairly and equitably is backed up by its performance. According to State of Maine figures, MEMIC pays legitimate claims faster, disputes fewer claims and resolves more disputes at mediation than any other insurance company.