Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The N.C. Department of Labor recognized area employers and employees at the agency’s annual safety awards banquet held at noon on Monday at the Pfeiffer University Center for Health Sciences in Albemarle.

“In an especially challenging year, these employers and employees have shown us the true importance of a strong commitment to safety and health,” Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said prior to the event. “North Carolina has experienced a continuously declining injury and illness rate, which remains at an historic low. These businesses’ dedication to safety is the reason why North Carolina is one of the safest states in which to work and they deserve this distinguished recognition.”

The awards honor on-the-job safety achievements of each recipient during 2020. Recipients recognized are in Albemarle and surrounding counties.

The event was co-sponsored by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce.

“The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the North Carolina Department of Labor and Commissioner Josh Dobson on the Safety Awards to help honor the businesses in Stanly County who are being recognized for their hard work in keeping their businesses and employees safe,” said Sandy Selvy-Mullis, president and CEO of the Chamber. “We are proud of these businesses for meeting these safety requirements.”

The local recipients have met the stringent requirements necessary to receive a safety award.

Under program rules, companies must have been free of fatal accidents at the site for which the award is given to be eligible.

Silver Awards

The silver award is based only on cases with days away from work. They are recorded when the worker misses at least one full day of work, not including the day of the injury. The applicant must attain an incidence rate for cases with days away from work that is at least 50 percent below the rate for its industry.

Recipient was:

Second Consecutive Year

Preformed Line Products Co.

Gold Awards

The gold award criteria are based on a DART rate that is at least 50 perent below the statewide rate for its industry. The rate includes cases of days away from work, restricted activity or job transfer.

Recipients were:

First Year

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Albemarle Highway Construction Division

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Lexington Asphalt Plant

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., NC Highway 3 – Mooresville Jobsite Kannapolis NC

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., New London Asphalt Plant

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Troy NC Highway 24/27 Bypass Jobsite

UFP – New London LLC, No. 315, Southern Division East Central Region

Second Consecutive Year

DHHS Division of Vocational, Rehabilitation Services Albemarle Unit

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Conover Asphalt Plant

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Salisbury Asphalt Plant

Third Consecutive Year

Auria Solutions

Cube Hydro Carolinas LLC, Yadkin

N.C. Department of Transportation, Resident Engineer’s Office

Fourth Consecutive Year

Atrium Specialty Medical Group, Stanly

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Clear Creek Asphalt Plant

United Protective Technologies

Fifth Consecutive Year

Stanly Women’s Services

Sixth Consecutive Year

J.T. Russell and Sons Inc., Healing Springs Terminal

Seventh Consecutive Year

Storm Technologies Inc.

10th Consecutive Year

Stanley Engineered Fastening

Million-Hour Awards

1 Million Hours, Or Multiples Thereof, With No Lost Time Accidents

Preformed Line Products

Aug. 24, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2020