November 17, 2011 – Halifax, NS –  Nova Scotian leaders in workplace safety are being recognized for their positive contribution to the province’s safety culture.

The Mainstay Awards, presented by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, honour excellence in occupational health and safety, including initiatives around injury prevention and return-to-work programs.

“This year’s recipients truly take workplace safety to heart and have gone the extra mile to create safety programs, and put supports in place to ensure their workers and colleagues go home to their families at the end of a workday,” said Stuart MacLean, Acting CEO of the WCB. “By recognizing their efforts, we hope to encourage others to follow their lead.”

Nine Mainstay Awards are handed out in six categories including the highest safety honour in Nova Scotia – the Safety Award of Excellence. The top honour went to Edmonds Landscape and Construction Services Limited for its role in making a safety a priority in the landscaping industry.

The other categories and winners include: Safety Award of Excellence (Individual) - Peter Hollett, Halifax Harbour Bridges, Safety Transformation - Irving Shipbuilding Ltd., Individual Safety Champion - Karla Hamilton, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems, Employer Safety Champion - Aecon Atlantic and Sobeys, and Employer Return-to-Work Champion - Cape Breton District Health Authority, Sobeys and Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership.

“Creating safe work environments takes time, effort and commitment from both employers and workers, and too often that work goes unnoticed,” said Marilyn More, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “The Mainstay winners have inspired us with their safety leadership and it’s an honour to recognize them for making workplace safety a priority.”

To learn more about the Mainstay Awards, visit www.mainstayawards.ca.

2011 Mainstay Award Winners

Safety Award of Excellence
Edmonds Landscape & Construction Services Ltd.

Safety Award of Excellence: Individual
Peter Hollett, Halifax Harbour Bridges

Safety Transformation
Irving Shipbuilding Ltd.

Individual Safety Champion
Karla Hamilton, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems

Employer Safety Champion
Aecon Atlantic
Sobeys

Employer Return-to-Work Champion
Cape Breton District Health Authority
Sobeys
Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership

About the WCB:  The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is committed to keeping Nova Scotians safe and secure from workplace injury. The WCB provides workplace injury insurance for more than 18,000 employers, representing about 300,000 workers across the province. The WCB sets the standard for workplace injury insurance by informing and inspiring Nova Scotians in the prevention of workplace injury. If an injury occurs, we support those whose lives it touches by championing a timely return to safe and healthy work.

About Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education:  The Department of Labour and Advanced Education works to provide fairness, safety and prosperity for all Nova Scotians by helping them live, learn and work to their highest potential. The department works to protect the public and maintain and grow a safe and prosperous workforce in Nova Scotia with a strong focus on safety, skill development, regulation, education and building partnerships.

For more information, please contact:

Julie Trites, Communications Advisor
Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
 902-491-8110
julie.trites@wcb.gov.ns.ca

Kevin Finch, Communications Advisor
Department of Labour and Advanced Education
902-424-0847
finchkh@gov.ns.ca