PITTSFIELD -- The Cianbro Corp.'s fabrication facility in town has received the highest honor of workplace safety from the federal and state governments.

After a 12 months of screening, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the SafetyWorks Program of the Maine Department of Labor awarded what is called SHARP recognition to the Cianbro facility. The SHARP award acknowledges Cianbro's emphasis on workplace safety and health, according to OSHA.

Today, Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman and other dignitaries gathered at luncheon ceremony held by Cianbro at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Dobson Street, in honor of the designation.

Eighty-five people work at the Cianbro facility and those employees gone more than a million work hours since an injury, in 2002. Cianbro Fabrication and Coating Corporation is a subsidiary of the Cianbro Cos., specializing in fabrication and coatings services.

"SHARP is designed to provide incentives and support to smaller business owners to develop, implement and constantly improve effective safety and health programs at their work sites," said Marthe Kent, regional administrator for OSHA.

The SHARP designation will exempt Cianbro from a regularly scheduled OSHA inspection for two years.