South Carolina Chamber honors safety award winners

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce honored almost 500 company locations during the 2009 Safety Awards luncheon March 16. The ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Columbia was presented by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Greenville, Columbia and Charleston offices).

Safety Award winners represented companies across South Carolina that have made workplace safety a priority. The Safety Awards are given based on companies achieving a commendable lost workday case rate during 2009.

“The Chamber salutes these exemplary companies that work diligently to make their workplace environments safe. We are proud these conscientious companies call our state home,” said Otis B. Rawl Jr., president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Ethan Ware, chairman of the Chamber’s Safety, Health & Security Committee and a shareholder with the McNair Law Firm, P.A., moderated the event. John Martin with Martin Safety Solutions served as the keynote speaker. Martin experienced an industry safety failure that left him in a hospital burn unit for more than five months. He delivered an emotional safety solutions presentation that was backed by 25 years of experience. The awards were sponsored by the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP).

“Workplace safety is a vital component of any successful company. Each of the winning organizations continues to be committed to the health and safety of their employees, and the business community is proud to honor so many,” Rawl said.

Safety Award Winners
Darlington
McLeod Medical Center

Dillon
Dillon Provision Co. Inc.
McLeod Medical Center
Perdue Farms Inc.
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Dillon Gas Operations

Florence
IRIX Pharmaceuticals Inc.
FedEx Ground - Terminal #295
FedEx Home Delivery - Terminal #3295
Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina - Florence Retail #254
Johnson Controls - Florence Distribution Center
McLeod Health & Fitness Center
McLeod Home Health
McLeod Physician Associates
McLeod Regional Medical Center
Roche Carolina Inc.
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Florence Gas Operations
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Gas Operations Engineering & Construction - Eastern Division
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Gas Sales - Eastern Division
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Florence Fleet Operations

Hartsville
Progress Energy - Robinson Nuclear Plant
Sonoco - Adhesives
Sonoco - Hartsville Film Core-ICD
Sonoco - Hartsville Paper Complex
Sonoco - Hartsville Specialty-ICD
Sonoco - Hartsville Spiral ICD
Sonoco - Machinery Manufacturing
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Hartsville Gas Operations

Kingstree
Martek Biosciences Kingstree Corporation
Palmetto Synthetics, LLC

Lake City
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Lake City Gas Operations

Manning
Starflo Corporation

Mullins
Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority - Area 3-Marion

Sumter
Advanced Technology Services - Eaton Sumter Facility
Caterpillar Inc. - Precision Pin Products Group
Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina - Sumter Retail #253
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company - Sumter Gas Operations
Thompson Construction Group, Inc. - HVAC Division
Thompson Construction Group, Inc.
Thompson Turner Construction
Thompson Construction Group, Inc. - Caterpillar Hydraulics Plant