
Everyday we see the power of collaboration. Yesterday we were lucky to see this demonstrated at the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Aquatic Division Award Breakfast. Kudos to the staff – comprised of so many young workers – employed as lifeguards and managers at pools throughout Portland this summer.
We honor the commitment to health, safety and wellness in these employees, who clearly support each other and work together to achieve their mission of keeping others and themselves, safe. A number of awards were shared among staff including one that initiated a standing ovation to staff from Wilson Pool upon recognition of their rescue and life saving on July 19.
Thanks to those at Portland Park and Recreation, particularly safety manager Barbara Aguon, Program Director Nancy Roth, and District Aquatic Coordinator Larissa Doty. We appreciate the commitment they have made to partner with the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center on the PUSH (Promoting U Through Safety & Health) Project, so we can learn more about young workers to better create effective training programs, which included developing and getting feedback on the PUSH tumblr page.

Peninsula Pool won 1st place in the 2012 PUSH Competition, which measured each pool’s percentage of participation in various online activities related to safety, wellness and communication. LeeAnne Griffin, Manager of Peninsula Pool, accepted the trophy on behalf of Peninsula’s staff. The staff will also enjoy a pizza party at their final in-service meeting. “Over the course of the summer, Peninsula was consistently engaged and enthusiastic about the PUSH activities. They were always a pleasure to work with, and we looked forward to visiting them each week,” says PUSH research, Eric Serres.
We share a big thanks to CROET summer interns Eric Serres and Hannah White who developed the activities and tumblr page, and now are returning to college. The PUSH project carries on, but we will miss them, their great ideas and terrific energy!
Resources
ORhwc Health Promotion and Safety Protection in Young Workers
O[yes] (Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition)
Oregon Healthy Workforce Center
PUSH tumblr page
One response to “Power of Collaboration”
A great example of training specific to the younger work force. Younger employees sometimes need a little additional training on the job, and job safety instruction, as it may be their first time having a job. Congratulations to the city of Portland for being so proactive.