Granite County Safety Committee approves minutes, updates emergency plans and workers' compensation packets

The Granite County Safety Committee met June 9, 2026, at the Granite County Courthouse in Philipsburg and approved the minutes from its previous meeting before reviewing a set of safety and workers' compensation updates affecting county employees.

Jackie Bolster, Safety staff member, said all employees have been trained on the new E3 security system and that the county's Emergency Action Plan had been substantially updated to apply to all county employees rather than courthouse staff only. The committee agreed department heads should ensure orientation checklists are completed for new and part-time employees and that signed acknowledgements be kept in personnel records.

Rody Holman, Safety Department staff, reported that all previously discussed workers' compensation claims have been closed and encouraged supervisors and department heads to communicate with Montana State Fund claims examiners; he noted that "the names of the claims examiners appear on the loss run reports" and said updated loss-run reports will be provided at future meetings. Holman emphasized the county's early return-to-work program and said reducing wage-loss claims can improve the county's experience modification factor and potentially lower future premiums.

Jackie Bolster reviewed revisions to the county's "grab-and-go" workers' compensation packets, which now include return-to-work statements, incident management checklists, medical provider forms, first reports of injury, job descriptions, medical status forms, return-to-work guidance, and flowcharts outlining the claims process. Committee members agreed supervisors — not individual employees — are responsible for completing incident investigation reports; the packets will be distributed to department heads, Solid Waste, the Sheriff's Office, ambulance personnel, and other county locations as appropriate. An informational video about the packets has been prepared for future distribution.

Brodie Loushin and unnamed department representatives reported no major safety concerns ahead of expected Department of Labor inspections, and commissioners noted a previously discussed courthouse window repair remained outstanding and should be completed. Commissioners also reported both solid waste sites were operating without issue and discussed appointing designated safety representatives from the Road Department and Solid Waste to attend future meetings and relay safety concerns.

Votes at a glance: Commissioner Adler moved to approve the previous Safety Committee meeting minutes; Commissioner McLure seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner McLure then moved to adjourn; Commissioner Adler seconded and that motion also carried unanimously. The committee scheduled its next quarterly Safety Committee meeting for Sept. 8, 2026, and adjourned at 10:01 a.m.

The matters discussed were procedural and administrative safety updates intended to improve employee orientation, clarify supervisor responsibilities for incident investigations, and encourage early return-to-work practices; no new policy or budget decisions were recorded at this meeting.