'We congratulate Northport First Responders for becoming SHAPE certified,' Governor Paul R. LePage said. 'They know that keeping their people safe is not only good for the citizens 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 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.

Any state, county, municipal or other public-sector employers interested in learning more about the SHAPE designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) 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.