Montgomery County Safety and Health Program
2022 NACo Achievement Award Winner
Montgomery County, Md., MD
Best In Category
![AchievementAwards_extension_bkg_0.jpg Image of AchievementAwards_extension_bkg_0.jpg](https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/styles/805x456/public/AchievementAwards_extension_bkg_0_0.jpg?h=c7b161fc&itok=wnFG4nIO)
About the Program
Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)
Year: 2022
Montgomery County, Maryland Enhanced and Proactive Safety Culture Traditionally, Montgomery County, Marylandâs (MCG or "the County") Department of Finance, Division of Risk Management, Safety Section (âSafety Teamâ) was only able to support a reactive safety program for County operations based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administrationâs (OSHA) mandate. More recently, the Safety Team has moved to a more pro-active Safety Culture throughout MCG. In 2018, the Safety Team assessed the MCG safety and health program and identified opportunities for improvements in the safety and health culture County-wide. We focused on work around compliance with safety rules, OSHA regulations, and the motivation of the employee and management population towards seeing operational safety as a critical metric in operations. The Safety Team partnered with the Countyâs Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO), the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), and the Department of Finance IT Division. Goals were established and a path was charted for the development of tools to build a new, positive Safety Culture for MCG. A goal is for employees to make workplace safety an integral part of their workday. Technology streamlined communication and brought efficiency to the program. Another objective is decreased accident frequency and a safer workplace. Safety is permeating the Countyâs culture.