Once upon a time when I was working at WLON Radio, we had a visit from OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Anyone who has operated a business with multiple employees or an industry is likely very familiar with OSHA.
The purpose of OSHA is to insure workplace safety.
On my visit in the mid-70s, I was told I needed to have a rail put adjacent to the rear steps of the building. There were a total of three of them, about 20 feet wide, and almost nobody ever used them. When announcers carried out the trash from the building in the afternoon, they went out the front door. Once a week, either I or engineer Dennis Long went to the tower to check the readings there, and most often we did that when we arrived at work and before ever entering the building. But three steps were enough to create a requirement for a rail.
Some safety standards may, like that one, seem unnecessary and inconsequential, but workplace safety is no joke.
The NC Dept. of Labor is responsible for making sure North Carolina businesses and industries do what's necessary to protect workers from danger.
Each year, the Dept. of Labor recognizes those who have achieved workplace safety. It's usually done in Lincoln County at a Safety Awards Banquet. Sorry, no banquet this year, and no Cherie Berry. She retired after years of service and with the pandemic, this year, the awards program is being done virtually.
Obviously, most industries have much more to consider than my railing for three steps. We want to recognize and congratulate those who are being honored today. So from the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, who are handling the local 'event,' here's the list:
Silver Awards Criteria: Rate of days away from work must be at least 50% below the industry average.
First Year
Cataler-North America
City of Lincolnton, Administrative Offices
Lincoln County Government, Fire Marshall's Office
Lincoln County Government, Public Works
Lincoln County Government, Solid Waste Department
Second Consecutive Year
American Woodmark Corp, Lincolnton NC
City of Lincolnton, Utilities Department
Lincoln County Government, Animal Services
Third Consecutive Year
Husky Rack and Wire
Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Lincolnton Conversion, Customing & Packaging
Gold Awards Criteria: Rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction must be at least 50% below the industry average.
First Year
City of Lincolnton, Fire Department
City of Lincolnton, Police Department
Lincoln County Government, Airport
Lincoln County Government, County Jail
Lincoln County Government, Health Department
Lincoln County Government, Maintenance
Lincoln County Government, Parks & Recreation
Lincoln County Government, Tax
Lincoln County Government, Transportation
Second Consecutive Year
Lincoln County Government, Communications Center
Lincoln County Government, Library
Packaging Unlimited Lincolnton, Legionaire Drive
Packaging Unlimited Lincolnton, Riverview Road
Third Consecutive Year
Lincoln County Government, Register of Deeds
Fifth Consecutive Year
Lincoln County Government, Board of Elections
Lincoln County Government, Planning & Inspections
The M Conley Company
City of Lincolnton, Parks and Recreation
Sixth Consecutive Year
Henkel
City of Lincolnton, Parks & Recreation
Lincoln County Government, Department of Social Services
Lincoln County Government, Finance
Seventh Consecutive Year
Leonard Automatics, Inc.
Eighth Consecutive Year
Lincoln County Government, Cooperative Extension
Lincoln County Government, Information Technology
Lincoln County Government, Senior Services
Lincoln County Government, Veterans Services
West Lincoln Family Medicine
West Lincoln Veterinary Hospital
Ninth Consecutive Year
IHC, LLC
Lincoln County Government, Emergency Management
Tenth Consecutive Year
Lincoln County Government, County Manager's Office
Lincoln County Government, Human Resources
Lincoln County Government, Soil & Water Conservation District
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