HARRISBURG — The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recognized the Town of Harrisburg Public Works Department with the designation as an NCDOL Public Sector SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) site during a luncheon at Cabarrus Country Club on Friday, Feb. 11. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided brief remarks and presented the department with a certificate and flag.
“Congratulations to the Harrisburg Public Works Department for becoming a designated Public Sector SHARP site,” Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said. “Your commitment not only to the safety and health of your employees but also as a service provider to the citizens of the Town of Harrisburg is to be commended. Thank you for the work you do.”
SHARP is administered by the labor department’s Consultative Services Bureau under its Occupational Safety and Health Division. The program is designed for small to mid-size employers that have established, implemented and maintained exceptional workplace safety standards. The Public Sector SHARP recognizes certain categories of public sector employers. Existing categories include public works, sheriff and police, public utilities, fire, EMS, and parks and recreation.
“We are very proud, but not at all surprised by all the dedicated Town employees that contributed to this outstanding achievement,” Interim Assistant Town Manager Rob Donham said. “Internally we already know how special our Public Works team is, and receiving the SHARP designation is a testament from the N.C. Department of Labor to the incredible commitment to excellence and safety that Harrisburg Public Works employees commit to on a daily basis.”
The Public Works Department is a service provider for the residents of the Town of Harrisburg. The department helps maintain properties or infrastructure owned by the town, provides stormwater and sanitation services, and oversees more than 60 miles of streets and sidewalks that are town-maintained.
“This award could not have been obtained without the dedicated employees at Public Works that spent untold amounts of time to get us in position to apply for this recognition,” Interim Town Manager Lee Connor said. “Larry Aldridge, Corey Jones and Sue Sayger were the leads in getting this done.”
This event marks the Harrisburg Public Works Department’s initial certification into the SHARP program. The town has previously worked with the Consultative Services Bureau and in 2021 applied to participate in the Public Sector SHARP program. The Town of Harrisburg’s Public Works Department received their first year silver award at last year’s Concord Safety Awards Banquet. The town’s Administration Division is also a participant in NCDOL’s safety awards program.