“We are honored for being recognized by Liberty Mutual and receiving their Silver Safety Award. This award is the result of the hard work by all of our employees, and the continued support from our management and owners,” says Sean Graddy, Utility’s Paragould environmental health and safety (EHS) manager.
“Year after year, the Paragould plant has continued to maintain an exemplary safety record and has now been recognized with its 12th Liberty Safety Award. In fact, 10 of these 12 awards have been either Silver or Gold, which is a huge achievement,” says Bob Griffis, corporate EHS manager for Utility Trailer Manufacturing.
Liberty Mutual’s Safety Awards are based on the days away, restricted and transferred (DART) rate, which is calculated from the number of hours worked relative to the number of accidents at the plant. Lower numbers of accidents result in lower DART rates.
In 2017, Utility’s Paragould plant had a DART rate of only 1.32, with more than 1.3 million worked hours. The average DART rate for the trailer manufacturing industry was significantly higher, at 3.7. A Silver Safety Award is presented for DART rates of 40 percent or lower of the industry rate.
“I am so proud of these folks for yet again proving that working safely doesn’t mean another area has to suffer. When 750 people work toward a common goal anything is possible. Being recognized 12 times in the past 17 years for a stellar safety record is no accident!” says David Neighbors, Utility’s Paragould plant manager.
