WAMPSVILLE — The Madison County Highway Department announced it has recently been awarded a full work-zone package of safety equipment from the Public Employer Risk Management Association, Inc. (PERMA). It is facilitated through a grant from PERMA’s risk-management interventions. This award highlights the commitment of both Madison County Highway and PERMA to “uphold the highest […]
WAMPSVILLE — The Madison County Highway Department announced it has recently been awarded a full work-zone package of safety equipment from the Public Employer Risk Management Association, Inc. (PERMA). It is facilitated through a grant from PERMA’s risk-management interventions. This award highlights the commitment of both Madison County Highway and PERMA to “uphold the highest standards of safety and efficiency in public work zones, ensuring the wellbeing of workers and the public alike,” according to a news release from the Madison County government. PERMA, headquartered in Latham, is the largest workers’-compensation provider for public entities in New York state, providing benefits to public employees for more than 40 years. More than 700 public entities have chosen PERMA to manage their claims and ensure workplace health and safety. “Our members continue to be leaders in safety, but often have difficulty getting work zone equipment, especially when it’s stolen or damaged due to circumstances beyond their control. Many of those member organizations also face reduced funding,” Ed Starowicz, public works risk management specialist at PERMA, said in the release. The awarded work zone grant resolved that issue by including cones, safety vests, work zone signs, and stop-slow paddles for setting up a proper work zone — all to enhance operational effectiveness and mitigate risks in these public work environments. “We are deeply grateful to PERMA for this recognition and the resources provided through their workers’ compensation program,” Madison County Highway Superintendent F. Joseph Wisinski said in the release. “This award not only equips us with essential tools to further our safety protocols but also reinforces our shared vision of creating safer work zones for our employees and the communities we serve. We are committed to leveraging this opportunity to enhance our operations and continue setting benchmarks for excellence in public work safety.” PERMA says it plans to award grants next year totaling more than $125,000 worth of equipment to its member organizations that apply.