WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) praised Portsmouth Naval Shipyard today as it received the distinct honor of a prestigious national safety award.

The Chief of Naval Operations Fiscal Year 2014 Shore Safety Award for Large Industrial Activities is granted in recognition of significant contributions to safety and occupational health. In the last year, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has made significant gains in reducing serious injuries that lead to Days Away from Work (DAFW). In just one year, the number of DAFW’s due to serious injuries dropped significantly, from 1195 days in 2013 to 864 days in 2014 – the lowest in the shipyard’s history.

“Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has established a tradition of excellence in worker safety and remains as the gold-standard for public shipyards across the country.  The men and women who serve our nation at this shipyard work diligently to maintain, modernize, and repair our U.S. Navy submarines, providing critical support to our national defense,” the Senators said in a joint statement. “We congratulate Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for the well-deserved recognition of its ongoing efforts to decrease injury and keep our service members safe.”

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