City of Auburn receives safety award

AUBURN — The city has earned the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers in recognition of its rigorous safety achievement program.

A program of the Maine Department of Labor, the SHAPE award recognizes public-sector organizations that voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program for their workers.

“We congratulate Auburn City Hall on earning the SHAPE award,” Gov. Paul R. LePage said. “Auburn knows that keeping their people safe is not only good for the citizens of Maine, but also good for their community and their taxpayers. Better safety means less lost time due to injury and illness as well as lower workers’ comp costs.”

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. “We are very proud to receive this award,” said City Manager Denis D’Auteuil.

“Our team works tirelessly to promote a safe workplace, and to get this kind of recognition means a great deal to us. This is an exceptional workplace with a great team of people who strive for excellence. I congratulate my entire team on this achievement.”

Auburn’s workplace safety efforts are spearheaded by Safety Coordinator Raymond Lussier. 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.