Gates Furniture, a SAIF policyholder in Grants Pass, has been recognized by Oregon OSHA as the latest employer in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
The SHARP program provides an incentive for Oregon employers to work with their employees to find and correct hazards, develop and implement effective safety and health programs, and continuously improve. The ultimate goal of SHARP is to encourage employers to become self-sufficient in managing workplace safety and health issues.
Gates Furniture joins an elite group of 62 employer locations in Oregon who currently participate in SHARP. Achieving SHARP status is an impressive achievement for any business, but it's especially impressive for a small employer.
Gates Furniture has been a Grants Pass institution since 1946, when it was established by George and Lois Gates. In 1977, their son, Giff, returned from college to help manage the company "just for the summer." Thirty-two years later, Giff Gates continues to oversee the business, which has grown from 5,000 square feet to a modern 30,000 square foot showroom. The company sells a variety of home furnishings and accessories.
The road to SHARP status has not been an easy one for Gates Furniture. It required a huge commitment by Gates and his management team. Service Manager Ron Wells became the internal safety champion and helped create a dramatic culture change.
"The SHARP process raised safety awareness at Gates Furniture immeasurably and set the foundation for a new safety-oriented culture," said Wells, also the company's safety committee chairperson.
"Employees and managers have really bought into our goal of eliminating hazards, and the results have been very positive."
Learn more about the Oregon OSHA SHARP program.