SOUTH THOMASTON — South Thomaston Fire Department is the 31st fire department in the state to earn the Maine Department of Labor's Safety and Health Award for Public Employers.

The award is given to exemplary public sector employers who undergo a thorough review and inspection of policies and procedures relating to employee safety and health.

During the presentation at the start of last week's selectman's meeting, the labor department's Mike LaPlante, state Occupational Safety and Hazard Program supervisor, said earning a SHAPE award is a "big deal" for a fire department.

"Fire departments face more hazards than other entities and it's very hard for fire departments to get this designation," said LaPlante.

The labor department is most often heard from at businesses and municipalities when there is a problem, or a workplace injury. LaPlante said coming out for Tuesday night's presentation offered a nice change.

"This award is not given out lightly. Bryan and his crew have done a great job and it's a pleasure to give this award, when we get a change to recognize good work," said LaPlante. "It means they are doing what we need them to do."

The program was begun in 2005 and to date, there are only 41 public sector employers designated as SHAPE employers.

The program is for small, private, high hazard workplaces with 250 employees or less. Locally, Lyman Morse in Thomaston, Mathews Brothers in Belfast, Yachting Solutions in Rockport, Lonza in Rockland and Robbins Lumber in Searsmont are SHARP certified employers.

Local SHAPE employers include Camden Fire Department, Brooks Fire Department, Northport Volunteer Fire Department and Waldoboro Fire Department.

To participate in SHAPE, the employer must request a consultation visit that involves a complete hazard identification survey, involve employees in the consultation process, correct all hazards identified by the consultant and implement and maintain a safety and health management system that addresses the self-assessment form guidelines. The participant must also lower their company's Lost Workday Injury and Illness and Total Recordable Case rates below the state average and agree to notify the Workplace Safety and Health Division prior to making any changes in the working conditions or introducing new hazards into the workplace.

To qualify for SHARP, businesses must undergo a comprehensive safety and health consultation survey of the workplace, correct all identified hazards, establish and maintain the basic elements of an effective health and safety management system, commit in writing that it is willing to work the SafetyWorks! during a probationary challenge year and notify SafetyWorks! when major changes in processes or conditions occur that may result in new hazards.

Additionally, the business must undergo a second survey at the end of the probationary period to verify all SHARP requirements have been met and maintain a Lost Workday Injury/Illness Rate below the national average for its industry.

Certified SHAPE sites are granted a one-year exemption from the state Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards scheduled inspections for the first year of participation.

"They've done a great job here in South Thomaston," said LaPlante after handing the award plaque to Calderwood.

Calderwood thanked LaPlante, and then said he had another department in mind for helping them achieve SHAPE designation too.

"Owls Head is the next one," said Calderwood.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.