Baker City Public Works Marks 11 Years Without Time-Loss Injuries

Baker City Public Works has gone 11 years without a "time-loss" job injury, the City of Baker City announced on Jan. 23, 2026. City leaders credited the milestone to a sustained focus on safety, teamwork and planning, calling the achievement evidence of pride in the crew and a benefit to residents who rely on uninterrupted public services.

The streak traces back through earlier coverage that marked successive anniversaries. A Jan. 17, 2024 Baker City Herald story reported the department celebrated a nine-year anniversary on Jan. 9, 2024 and quantified that span as 3,287 days, including a couple of leap years. Local reporting around early 2025 noted the department had reached 10 years without a time-loss injury. The city’s Jan. 23, 2026 announcement brings the latest total to 11 years.

Public Works leaders point to several concrete practices behind the record. Public Works Director Joyce Bornstedt said, "Employee safety has always been a high priority for our department." Bornstedt also noted that the threshold for what’s considered a "time loss" injury is three days of work, and that during the nine-year stretch no employee had come close to missing that amount of work due to an on-the-job injury. Bornstedt highlighted that Public Works employees are certified in first aid and CPR, noting that "that not only protects the workers, she said, but it can potentially benefit the public, since public works crews sometimes are nearby when a traffic crash or other emergency happens."

The department performs hazardous, hands-on tasks. Baker City Herald coverage described crews working in trenches, handling noxious substances such as chlorine, and operating machines capable of grievous bodily harm. Operations Supervisor Kris Younger credited the nearly decade-long run to "a really good group of conscientious guys," adding, "They’re very good at their jobs and that’s the reason they’re safe." Bornstedt traced part of the department’s safety emphasis to retired longtime public works official Tom Fisk, who began promoting the record several years ago.

The Baker City Herald’s nine-year story recorded the department as having 23 employees at that time. The city announcement and local leaders’ statements suggest the streak is the result of training, planning and employee vigilance rather than luck.

For residents, the milestone matters because safe crews mean fewer interruptions to water, sewer, streets and emergency responses, and because certified employees can provide immediate assistance when emergencies occur near work sites. The city’s statement summed that local impact: "Public Works does tough, hands-on work every day, and this milestone says a lot about the team’s focus on safety, teamwork, and pride in what they do. We’re incredibly proud of this crew and grateful for everything they do to keep Baker City running."

As the department moves beyond 11 years, the emphasis on training and vigilance will be the watchword for maintaining service continuity and public safety.