For immediate release
May 3, 2016
 
HALIFAX, NS – Nova Scotia’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) and Lindsay Construction’s Paul Midgley have received the province’s highest workplace safety honours, the Mainstay Safety Award of Excellence, Organization and Individual, at the 7th annual award ceremony. 
 
The awards recognize the very best practices in the prevention of workplace injury, as well as leadership in fostering timely and safe return to work. 
 
A total of 11 awards were presented in the program’s eight categories by the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Kelly Regan and WCB Nova Scotia CEO Stuart MacLean. 
 
TIR has been an occupational health and safety leader in Government, with other departments using their framework to form their own OHS programs. With dedication, courage, commitment, and leadership, TIR ensures its employees go home safe and healthy to their families after each work day. 
 
“Our colleagues at TIR have raised the bar and shown what it means to lead,” said Ms. Regan. “They’ve established themselves as leaders in occupational health and safety in the provincial government. Their commitment inspires all of us in the public service, and in organizations across the province, to reach higher.”    
 
In his role as manager at Lindsay Construction, Paul Midgley has effectively implemented sound occupational health and safety and injury management systems. His ability to challenge the status quo and continually strive for improvement in workplace safety has earned him the respect of his colleagues. 
 
“Since launching the Workplace Safety Strategy three years ago, we’ve been pushing the message that if we want to make Nova Scotia safer, leaders need to get on board and take a direct, active role,” said Mr. MacLean. “Because of people like Paul Midgley, stepping up to be a leader in his workplace, we’re seeing the calibre of safety programs rise. It is proof we’re seeing a real shift in the way Nova Scotians prioritize workplace safety.” 
 
Full list of 2016 Mainstay Awards recipients: 
 
• NS Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal - Safety Award of Excellence, Organization
• Paul Midgley, Lindsay Construction - Safety Award of Excellence, Individual 
• Oxford Frozen Foods Limited - Safety Transformation 
• Journeyman Film Company - Special Award for Small Business 
• Sabrina Vatcher, New Dawn Enterprises/New Dawn Homecare - Individual Safety Champion, Cape Breton Region
• Barry Bowman, Oxford Frozen Foods Limited - Individual Safety Champion, Central/North Shore Region 
• Joe LeBlanc, Commissionaires Nova Scotia - Individual Safety Champion, HRM Region 
• New Dawn Homecare - Employer Safety Champion, Cape Breton Region 
• EllisDon Corporation - Employer Safety Champion, HRM Region 
• Nova Scotia Power - Employer Return to Work Champion 
• Jessica King, Delta Barrington - Health and Safety Educator         
 
Launched in 2008, the Mainstay Awards program is sponsored by WCB Nova Scotia and the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. The Awards honour employers and individuals who have demonstrated strong commitment and significant contribution to building a strong culture of workplace safety in Nova Scotia. To learn more, visit MainstayAwards.ca 
 
The Mainstay Awards are held during North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week which runs from May 1-7, 2016. Across the province, NAOSH Week events and activities are coordinated by primarily volunteer committees who share a focus and vision of safer workplaces and communities. Click here to find out more about NAOSH Week, and events near you.