Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) was recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health during the 2021 Virtual Minnesota Safety and Health Conference, May 4-5. MNIT is one of 221 employers to be honored through the awards program, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council.

Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program. MNIT received an Award of Honor, the top level for which winners are recognized. The 52 Award of Honor recipients have incidence rates at least 91% better than the industry average, and a score between 91 and 100 on the safety program evaluation scale. 

“MNIT uses a proactive approach by putting health and safety at the forefront of our operations and motivating employees in the effort. This lowers costs related to accidents and illness. MNIT creates a safe, positive, and healthy work environment, encouraging safety consciousness and promoting wellness throughout our workforce.”

Melissa Warhol, MNIT’s Safety Officer

The Minnesota Safety Council, founded in 1928, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Minnesota by preventing unintentional injuries on the road, at work, at home, and in the community.

“In a year that has challenged all of us in ways we never imagined, we are very pleased to recognize Minnesota IT Services for their award. Safety demands extraordinary attention in a normal year, double that attention this past year. Thank you, Minnesota IT Services, for keeping your employees safe.”

Paul Aasen, President, Minnesota Safety Council

About MNIT’s Safety Program

The MNIT Safety Program is an ongoing, cross-functional initiative that brings together people and resources to promote safety throughout the agency. The MNIT Safety Program believes in continuous improvement. No matter how effective our safety protocols are, they can always be better. Safety is integrated into our organization’s systems, practices, people, and leadership.

Over the past year, MNIT’s Safety Program trained and raised awareness for safety and health in the workplace:  

• Safety Program Manual: The Safety Program Manual contains our guiding principles to effectively control workplace hazards. MNIT updated the manual to include an infectious disease control plan, respiratory protection, and guidance on civil unrest.  
• Ergonomics Self-Assessment: The online self-assessment tool and training helps employees better understand how to apply ergonomic principles in their work avoiding musculoskeletal discomfort. This tool offers individualized tips, suggestions and resources based on the self-assessment. 
• Emergency Training: MNIT effectively implemented our Incident Command Structure (ICS) in response to the pandemic and other simultaneously occurring incidents. 
• MNIT Week: During the agency-wide training week, the Safety Committee held a virtual training session that more than 100 people attended.  
• Work at Home Series: Safety Committee members created an internal interview series that featured MNIT employees working in their home environments. In each article, the committee provided information and tools to successfully work from home based on the interviewee’s experience.  
• Safety Perception Survey: The survey collects employee feedback on their health and safety. We had a significant increase of participation in 2019 by 222% over previous year (2017) survey. MNIT has used the survey results to implement increased communication and transparency of initiatives to raise awareness of safety.  
• Stretch Poster: MNIT developed and distributed a stretch poster to employees to educate about proper stretching techniques and encourage stretching throughout the day. The poster was shared with other state agencies.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MNIT has not experienced an exposure or outbreak of COVID illness in a workplace. This is due to a rapid response in ensuring employee’s safety for those having to come into workplaces to conduct their work. They were trained in how to protect themselves, provided guidance on safety protocols, daily screening for illness and asked to report incidents immediately. MNIT has been pro-active on ensuring the safety of employee’s whether working in the office or remote.