HWC earns state safety award

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
RECEIVES AWARD — The Houlton Water Company was presented with a Safety and Health Award for Public Employees (SHAPE) Monday during a presentation at its Water Street business. Presenting the award to Galen Hogan, left, of the HWC board of directors is Steven Greeley, deputy director for the Department of Labor.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The Houlton Water Company was recognized Monday by the Maine Department of Labor for striving to provide a safe and healthful workplace.
    HWC was one of five municipal departments across the state to earn the Safety and Health Award for Public Employees (SHAPE). This certification recognizes public-sector organizations that voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program for their workers.
    “We congratulate these local fire and water departments for becoming SHAPE certified,” said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. “Organizations that achieve SHAPE status demonstrate that focusing on worker safety is of utmost importance. These departments know that keeping workers safe is not only good for the people of Maine, but also good for their communities and their taxpayers. Better safety means less lost time due to injury and illness as well as lower workers’ comp costs.”
    These awards bring the total of all SHAPE organizations in the state to 49 and the total of SHAPE fire departments to 25. A well-rounded safety and health program, such as those implemented by SHAPE departments, results in lower numbers of employee injuries and illnesses and provides for better employee morale and retention, Paquette said.
    “During February of 2012, the Houlton Water Company volunteered to have a safety inspection performed by the Maine Department of Labor,” said John Clark, president of HWC.  “On Feb. 23, the MDOL inspected all of our facilities, trucks and equipment for safety violations and lack of and/or improper documentation. We learned much from the inspection and after making the suggested improvements, we crafted a safer work place. The SHAPE honor is one that all personnel have earned. All of our employees should be proud of what they accomplished to improve and create a safer work environment.”
    The SHAPE award was originally conceived in 2005 as a way to recognize public-sector employers and employees who are striving to provide a safe and healthful workplace. It is given only to exemplary public-sector employers after a thorough review and inspection of the employer’s safety and health policies and procedures by a SafetyWorks! consultant.
    Included in the company’s review are an assessment of the employer’s OSHA 300 log used to document injuries or illnesses; all safety and health policies, including hazard communications, respiratory protection, blood borne pathogens, confined space, emergency action plans, lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment and assessments and hearing conservation; review of employer’s training programs; inspection of the facility; inspection of equipment; and a review of documentation and record keeping.
    “A well-rounded safety and health program achieves lower employee injuries and illnesses and provides for better employee morale and retention,” Paquette said. “Receiving this award from the MDOL exempts the Houlton Water Company from the Bureau of Labor Standards’ routine or programmed inspections for two years and is a renewable commitment.”
    Municipalities and other public entities interested in learning more about the SHAPE designation can contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or www.safetyworksmaine.com.