Town of Fairfield Receives SHAPE Award for Safety

*SHAPE honors public-sector employers and employees who provide a safe workplace*

AUGUSTA- Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that the town of Fairfield has earned the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE). Fairfield is only the sixth municipal employer to receive the safety award for all town departments.

SHAPE recognizes public-sector organizations that voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program for their workers.

"We congratulate the town of Fairfield for becoming SHAPE certified," Governor Paul R. LePage said.
"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."

The Town of Fairfield received its award on May 12. Fairfield is the sixth municipal employer to become SHAPE certified for all town or city all departments; the others are Brunswick, Presque Isle, Jay, Kennebunk and Caribou. The total number of SHAPE worksites, including the six towns, is 42.

The SHAPE award was 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.

Municipalities and other public entities interested in learning more about the SHAPE designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or http://www.safetyworksmaine.com . SafetyWorks! provides a trained consultant with industry-specific expertise who will review the facility by appointment. The consultation may include such elements as recognizing safety hazards, sampling for air and noise exposures, recommending ways to reduce or to eliminate hazards, developing or improving a safety program, complying with regulations and identifying training needs.

The Maine Department of Labor has enforcement authority of health and safety standards for public-sector employers in Maine and is responsible for inspecting workplace injuries or fatalities suffered by public employees.