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BASF program teaches Gonzales city employees to work more safely
Meetings educate workers, save taxpayers almost $50,000 on insurance
GEISMAR, LOUISIANA, November 7, 2006 -- When BASF and Gonzales Mayor Johnny
Berthelot joined forces in 1998 to start the “Partners in Safety Program,” they
did so with the intent of providing city employees with safety training and
equipment that previously had not been available to them.
Now, more than eight years later, the free program is still helping Gonzales
city employees work more safely while saving the city’s taxpayers thousands of
dollars in insurance premiums.
The “Partners in Safety” program qualifies as a formal training program, and
the establishment of such allows the city to receive a premium discount on
workers’ compensation insurance offered through the Louisiana Municipal
Association. Berthelot said the program has helped the city save almost $50,000
in insurance premiums each year.
“Our relationship with BASF has been a great benefit to our city employees
and taxpayers,” said Berthelot. “Because of the program, our employees have
learned how to exercise caution and how to work more safely.”
BASF safety representatives and city employees host training sessions once a
month in City Hall and in the field. More than 35 city employees from various
departments attend each session, which focuses on preventing workplace
accidents.
At October’s training session, Gonzales Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Gipson
gave a 30-minute presentation on how to prevent fires from happening in the
workplace. Gipson, who has worked for Gonzales Fire Rescue for five years,
walked city employees through proper fire extinguisher use and gave them
pointers on fighting different types of fires.
“We just want to educate them about the different hazards and mistakes that
people make at work,” said Gipson, who captivated an audience of 35 by relaying
some of his personal experiences as a firefighter.
Besides hosting training sessions and helping the city save money, BASF has
also donated safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, protective eyewear
and respirators to the city.
Paulette Rosamond of BASF’s Industrial Hygiene Department and Mike Doring,
Emergency Response Coordinator at the Geismar site, oversee the program.
“It’s rewarding to see that the training we provide to these employees is
helpful when they are in the workplace and at home,” said Rosamond.
BASF’s Geismar site manufactures a wide range of products that are used in
hundreds of consumer products.
For more information, contact:
Helen
Cane
BASF
Tel: (225)
339-7207
E-mail: helen.cane@basf.com
Maureen Paukert
BASF
Tel: (973) 245-6077
E-mail: maureen.paukert@basf.com
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