PowerStream earns recognition for health, safety &

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PowerStream's efforts in promoting health, safety and wellness to its workforce has earned the company recognition from Canadian Occupational Safety as a Gold Recipient of Canada's Safest Employers Award in the Utilities and Electrical category as well as a Silver Recipient in the Wellness category .

The awards were presented to PowerStream officials Wednesday evening at the Canada's Safest Employers Award 2013 Winners' Gala held at the Arcadian Court in Toronto. The presentation of the two awards was made almost one year after Canadian Occupational Safety recognized PowerStream for being a Silver Recipient of a Canada's Safest Employers Award in the Transportation and Utilities category.

A panel of thirteen judges selected PowerStream for the two awards through a rigorous selection and judging process. The company has an extensive number of health and safety policies, procedures and programs in place that work to promote and maintain a culture of safety and wellness throughout the organization.

PowerStream has benefited from its efforts in health and safety in several ways. As a result of its excellent safety record, the company has been able to earn rebates on insurance premiums it pays annually to the Ontario Workplace Compensation and Insurance Board (WSIB). Also, Rob Ellis , a renowned and well-respected workplace safety advocate, has recognized PowerStream as a "Safety Champion," for providing comprehensive training programs to its employees and promoting safety within the communities the company serves.

QUOTES

• "We are fully committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees, our customers as well as the public. This recognition we have received from Canadian Occupation Safety speaks to our success in engaging our employees in programs promoting these important lifestyle and workplace behaviours," said Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "Promoting health and safety is good business sense and great people sense."

• " Canadian Occupational Safety is proud to recognize PowerStream once again this year with not one, but two Canada's Safest Employer Awards," said Amanda Silliker, editor of Canadian Occupational Safety magazine, a Thomson Reuters publication, which runs the award program. "Not only has PowerStream graduated to a higher level of excellence for its health and safety programs, but we are also very pleased to recognize the company for its innovative wellness initiatives.
 
BACKGROUND

• PowerStream has been acknowledged on several occasions for being a leading employer. In addition to being recognized as a Silver Award Recipient for Excellence, Innovation, and Wellness, an award based on Excellence Canada's Progressive Excellence Program®, the company has also been named one of ' Greater Toronto's Top Employers ' for 2013 and 2012 by Mediacorp and in 2012 as ' Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces ™" in Canada'. In November 2011, PowerStream earned the ' Smart Commute Employer of the Year Award ' for North Toronto, Vaughan.
 
ABOUT CANADA'S SAFEST EMPLOYERS AWARD

Canada's Safest Employers Award was launched in December 2010 as a program to recognize outstanding Canadian companies that are making a difference in promoting the health and safety of their workers.
 
ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 360,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.
 
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Eric Fagen, Vice-President, Corporate Communications Media Line (24/7): 905-532-4400 Email: Website: www.PowerStream.ca