For its ongoing efforts resulting in positive changes in safety behavior and culture within a state agency, SHA’s Safety Management Team proudly accepted “A Health & Safety Working Group Award of Excellence.”  Consisting of representatives from each of SHA’s seven districts throughout Maryland, as well as other key offices, the Safety Management Team’s mission is to enhance worker safety, prevent injuries and improve reporting. The group’s hard work and dedication showed in its 2011 efforts that included reducing injury cases by 38 percent in a calendar year and reducing lost-time cases by 20 percent below the previous year.

SERMA also presented SHA’s Medical Director Dr. Edwin Becraft with the Linda Brooks Memorial Award for his outstanding performance and commitment to risk management and occupational safety in Maryland state government. Recognizing his willingness to go beyond the call of duty on a regular basis and ability to accomplish the most complex of tasks with ease, this award stands as the highest SERMA acknowledgement for individual achievement in workplace safety.

“We are honored that SERMA recognizes the special dedication of SHA’s Safety Management Team and Dr. Becraft, who help keep SHA’s workforce healthy and strong,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters.  “Working in the transportation field carries certain inherent hazards.  Working from heights, with heavy equipment, right next to traffic traveling 50, 60 or more miles per hour – our work can be dangerous, which is all the more reason why this team is so crucial to our success.”

SERMA originated under an executive order and held its first conference in 1989. Since then, the Injured Workers Insurance Fund has housed SERMA.  The annual event held in May honors state agencies who have demonstrated a commitment for public and employee safety. SERMA is on a constant mission to improve the health and welfare of state employees and reduce the costs of workers compensation by methodically decreasing the number of work-related injuries.

For more information on the State Employee Risk Management, log on to SERMA’s website at www.iwif.com.  For more information about SHA, visit www.roads.maryland.gov or follow @MSHA on Twitter. ​