The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recertified four City of Mount Holly departments/divisions as NCDOL Public Sector SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) sites during the City Council Meeting at City of Mount Holly Municipal Complex on Monday, March 14. These departments/divisions include the City of Mount Holly’s Public Utilities Department, Street and Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided brief remarks and presented the departments with certificates and a new flag.
“If you don’t have a commitment to workforce safety, you can’t reach your potential as a city,” Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said. “You are leading the way on that. You all are part of that. It’s a commitment from your mayor, your city council and your department leaders as well. From my perspective, as Commissioner of Labor, thank you for your commitment to workplace safety and health.”
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.
“The day-to-day priorities that lead to receiving these SHARP awards are no small task and worth celebrating,” Mount Holly City Manager Miles Braswell said. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the NCDOL.”
The Public Utilities Department and the Street and Solid Waste Department were initially certified in 2013, while the Water Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Treatment Plant were originally certified in 2017. The City of Mount Holly has worked with the Consultative Services Bureau for many years to improve its safety program and work toward the SHARP designation. Several City of Mount Holly departments received awards at last year’s Gastonia Safety Awards Banquet including, Public Works, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, and Police.
“Receiving these awards, year after year, is a testament to our employees’ dedication to safety as well as providing the highest level of excellence to our community,” Mayor Bryan Hough said.