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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was
honored today with the state’s Safety Program of the Year Award. The award is
given annually by the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Risk
Management through the Interagency Advisory Council to the agency that most
effectively promotes and manages statewide safety while improving employee
morale and productivity.
“These awards are a reflection of the dedicated efforts demonstrated on a
daily basis by our proud employees to protect the state’s environment, and to
ensure that safety is a priority and that our messages are an ongoing,
consistent focus,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “With such a diverse
agency covering a large variety of activities, safety is at the forefront of our
minds as we protect, conserve and restore Florida’s natural resources.”
DEP employees are involved in activities that range from combating forest
fires to scuba diving. DEP works to minimize risks from such activities by
continuous research and study of health and safety materials; an ongoing
promotion of safety through new and innovative methods; reviewing all incident
review reports; conducting safety audits/inspections and training; regularly
distributing health and safety information; and conducting emergency evacuation
drills. In addition, the agency developed and maintains a standard safety
language for all DEP contracts; a DEP Safety Web Page; and boating, diving,
driving, and trailering safety programs.
At today’s ceremony, DEP was recognized with a total of six awards including:
- Winner of the 2007 Safety Program of the Year
- 2nd Place: Safety Awareness Campaign - Boating Safety Awareness Process
- 2nd Place: Safety Awareness Event - Safe and Clean Boating Awareness
- Tie for 2nd Place: Most Creative - Safety Series
- 3rd Place: Safety Awareness Campaign - Safety Series
- 3rd Place: Safety Awareness Event - National Drive Safely Work Week
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the lead agency in
state government for environmental management and stewardship and is one of the
more diverse agencies in state government, protecting air, water, and land. The
Department is divided into three primary areas: Regulatory Programs, Land and
Recreation, and Planning and Management. Florida’s environmental priorities
include restoring America’s Everglades, improving air quality, restoring and
protecting the water quality in our springs, lakes, rivers and coastal waters,
conserving environmentally-sensitive lands and providing citizens and visitors
with recreational opportunities, now and in the future. |
