TRENTON, June 5, 2008 — Today Commissioner David J. Socolow of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development presented the CH2M Hill-OMI company in Hoboken with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) SHARP award.  The SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) award recognizes small business employers who demonstrate exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health.

“The management and employees of CH2M Hill-OMI recognize the importance of job-site safety and the impact accidents have on workers and their families, on productivity, and on the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the company facility,” said Socolow. “Workplace safety is a top priority for Governor Corzine and for state government.”

CH2M Hill-OMI operates and maintains the North Hudson Sewerage Authority facilities and 159 water and wastewater facilities in the Americas, Middle East and Asia.

Gary Fournier, CH2M Hill-OMI project director, who accepted the SHARP award on behalf of the company, said, “This recognition belongs to all of our employees who work hard every day to keep and make our workplace safe. CH2M Hill-OMIs safety performance is a source of pride and we are committed to continue strengthening our safety program and its results.”

New Jersey’s state government does not have jurisdiction for occupational safety and health enforcement in private sector workplaces. The state works with OSHA and the unions and businesses of the Garden State to educate, train and build stronger and coordinated labor-management approaches to making workplaces healthy and safe. 

“The latest data show that New Jersey’s private sector continues to have some of the safest worksites in the nation,” said Socolow.  “Our most recent accident and illness rate, at 3.6 incidents per 100 full-time workers, remains well below the national average of 4.4.”

Commissioner Socolow presents SHARP award toCH2 M Hill OMI

For more information on the free consultation program in New Jersey and the SHARP awards, visit http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/employer/SHARP.html.