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Security Manager Harry Raith (left), receives a coin of excellence from Army Safety and Health Management System Team Leader Donald Graham.
The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is the first Army medical center to be recommended as an Army Safety and Occupational Health Star site.
After a weeklong assessment, Army Safety and Health Management System inspectors included “LRMC Rocks ASHMS” among several hospital accolades at its outbrief, April 24.
According to inspector comments, “it is absolutely evident that this site has worked tirelessly to implement the elements of a safety management system. Mr. (Harry) Raith (LRMC safety manager) and the entire team at Landstuhl are top-notch and their efforts are evident throughout the organization.”
The goal of ASHMS, implemented by Army Medical Command in 2012, is to instill a safe culture involving all hospital employees. It’s based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program — an initiative that encourages private industry and federal agencies to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses through hazard prevention and control, work site analysis, training and cooperation between management and workers.
Organizations that reach Star status experience a significant decrease in occupational mishaps, illness and incident rates. The average Star organization has injury rates that are 52 percent below their industry average.
Employee involvement was highlighted by ASHMS inspectors, to include LRMC Commander Judith Lee and a “stellar housekeeping staff in all hospital areas.”
During an ASHMS Pep Rally, leader involvement by Lee was described as “remarkable” and “outstanding” for the manner in which she “rallied the troops,” when Lee led the Seattle Sea Gals during a cheer she created in support of staff preparation for the ASHMS assessment.
Other highlights noted by the assessment team included an “ability to overcome multicultural and linguistic barriers … thorough operation and execution of the emergency response plan,” and “creativity of training methods to engage employees” such as creating ASHMS versions of “Family Feud” and “Jeopardy.”
In addition to Lee and Raith, other LRMC staffers that were highlighted include Staff Sgt. Michael Foglio, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jorge Maganacortez, Capt. Diego Rincon, Andrew Mackinnon, Col. Todd Williams and Safety Specialist Henny Moll.
“The entire staff worked extremely hard to achieve this great feat,” Moll said. “Everyone deserves huge thanks for all of their great ideas and initiatives. Be very proud, and just keep up the momentum.”
