Several Vermont firms were recently recognized for their strong commitment to effective workplace safety at the Annual Vermont Workplace Safety Conference. The Governor’s Award for Workplace Safety, presented by Governor Jim Douglas, went to IBM in the Large Business Category and to Long Trail Brewery in the Small Business Category.
In presenting the awards, Governor Douglas also noted IBM’s earlier recipient of Vermont OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation for Long Trail Brewing by the Vermont Department of Labor.
Vermont Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden explained that the awards are the most prestigious awards given to a company in recognition of their workplace safety and health achievements.
“These awards began with Governor Douglas's leadership. We are delighted he was present for this presentation. Nominations continue to grow which is a clear indication of the continued commitment to workplace safety and health by Vermont employers over the past seven years,” she said.
Governor Douglas also presented three additional awards to firms exhibiting significant workplace safety and health achievement in their unique business category. They included the Chaput Family Farm in North Troy, Okemo Resort in Ludlow, and Vermont Electric Power Company in Rutland.
“These awards recognize Vermont companies who maintain workplace safety and health as a core value and believe that the profitability and viability of their business is inextricably linked to this value,” he said.
Established six years ago and sponsored by Governor Douglas, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Safety & Health Council, and the Vermont Small Business Development Center, the Governor’s Award is the highest honor given by the State of Vermont to recognize an employer’s commitment to excellence in workplace safety and health. Companies making this commitment realize reduced workplace injuries and illnesses which translate into lower workers’ compensation rates, increased productivity, and increased employee morale.
Applicants were required to provide documentation stating how safety has improved their business and how they made it happen, how their company assesses its safety program for effectiveness, and how they track improvement. Threshold criteria included a MOD rate of .90 or less, no workplace fatalities or catastrophic injuries for the past three years, an active safety committee involving both management and employees, plus a written safety policy.
Finalists for the prestigious awards included:
Pizzagalli Construction Co., South Burlington, VT;
City of Burlington, Burlington, VT;
Mack Molding, Arlington, VT;
Nadeau Farm, Derby, VT;
Addison County Transit Resources, Middlebury, VT;
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, St. Albans, VT;
St. Albans Coop, St. Albans, VT; and
Columbia Forest Products, Newport, VT.
Source: Vermont Department of Labor. 5.20.2010