National Office Furniture in
Fordsville Earns SHARP Award
Fordsville, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2018) – Labor Deputy Secretary Mike Nemes joined officials from
National Office Furniture to celebrate the worksite’s Safety and Health
Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recertification for excellence in
workplace safety.
“Congratulations to National Office Furniture in Fordsville
on achieving another SHARP status,” said Labor Cabinet Secretary Derrick
Ramsey. “Earning this status is a coveted title for companies all across the
country, and it is a great accomplishment for one of the Commonwealth’s own to
be recognized for this prestigious achievement. Our top priority at the Labor
Cabinet is to help ensure Kentucky’s workers stay safe on the job, and I am
pleased to recognize the employees of National Office Furniture for all of
their hard work in helping achieve this goal.”
Founded in 1980, National Office
Furniture is a Jasper, IN-based manufacturer of office furnishings servicing
government agencies, hospitality and heath care sectors. National Office
Furniture operates two facilities in Kentucky: Fordsville and Danville, which
together employ over 400 workers.
The
SHARP designation was designed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to encourage and recognize excellence
in occupational safety and health among smaller employers. Qualified
consultants at the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, who are experienced in helping
employers develop safety and health management plans, provide assistance and
training to employers at no cost.
During
preparation for SHARP eligibility, employers have the opportunity to learn how
to maintain safe and healthy workplaces through the development and
implementation of proven and effective safety and health management systems.
Upon achieving SHARP status, employers are exempt from programmed inspections
for two years and subsequent renewal of the SHARP status may result in
three-year exemptions from programmed inspections.
“At National, we strive for an
injury-free working environment for our people,” said Vince Cooke, Director of
Safety. “National has always had a deep commitment to the health and safety of
our people, and we continue to build on that commitment. From our guiding
principles, we know that ‘our people are the company’, and our most valuable
asset. During the past 13-year period at our Fordsville location, injuries have
been reduced by 85 percent. There are many components of our safety program that
must be executed flawlessly to achieve an injury-free environment, but none are
more critical than the engagement of every employee.”
“This
status is a strong testimony to everyone’s commitment to working safely and
keeping others safe,” said Plant Manager John Ramburger. “An achievement
such as this requires total team engagement and a resolve that all injuries are
preventable. Any day a person goes home injured is a bad day no matter how well
everything else goes.”
Elected officials Sen. David Embry (Morgantown)
and Rep. Matt Castlen (Maceo) also offered praise.
“I would like to offer my
congratulations to the hardworking men and women at National Office Furniture
in Fordsville for their dedication to a safe and healthy workplace
environment,” Sen. Embry said. “I applaud any company who goes above and beyond
to ensure the wellbeing of its employees and National Office Furniture has done
an excellent job in setting and meeting such high expectations.”
“Everybody involved at National
Office Furniture should be proud for receiving the SHARP certification, as it’s
a testament to their commitment to workers’ safety,” said Rep. Castlen. “The
dedication to an exceptional product and strong, healthy workforce should be
the standard for all Kentucky businesses.”
Kentucky currently boasts 13
companies who have earned the SHARP status. For more information on SHARP and
all things workplace safety in Kentucky, visit KYsafe.ky.gov.
Follow the Kentucky Labor Cabinet on
Facebook and Twitter for all the
latest updates.
###
|
