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The Snyder Community Room at the Pfeiffer University Center for Health Sciences hosted a luncheon Wednesday honoring local companies for their efforts in keeping workers safe.

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson gave the keynote address at the North Carolina Department of Labor Safety Awards Banquet, co-hosted locally by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce. The banquet honored local companies whom have achieved silver and gold awards for safety.

Silver awards are given for companies whose employee rate of days away from work are 50 percent below the industry average. Gold awards are given out when the rate of days away from work, job transfers or restrictions are 50 percent below the industry rate.

Stanley Engineered Fastening celebrated its 11th straight year of earning gold awards, while Storm Technologies was honored for the eighth consecutive year. The Healing Springs Terminal of J.T. Russell and Sons, Inc. earned the award for the seventh straight year.

J.T. Russell and Sons also earned awards for the Clear Creek Asphalt Plant (fifth year), the Conover Asphalt Plant (third year), the Salisbury Asphalt Plant (third) and gold awards for the second consecutive years for the New London and Lexington Asphalt plants and the N.C. Highway 24-27 Jobsite.

Michelin Aircraft won first-year gold awards for the Norwood plant and the retreading plant, along with an area OC award. Culp Lumber Company also won a gold award for the first year.