N.C. Department of Labor Honors Morganton-Area Businesses for Workplace Safety Excellence

The N.C. Department of Labor recognized outstanding workplace safety achievements by Morganton area employers and employees during the N.C. Department of Labor’s annual Safety Awards Banquet, held Tuesday, May 6, at the Morganton Community House.

 

The event, co-hosted by the Burke County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Case Farms Chicken, with CarolinaWest Wireless as the Program Investor, celebrated companies that have demonstrated a strong commitment to injury prevention and fostering a culture of workplace safety.

 

In his keynote remarks, Recognition Program Manager LaMont Smith emphasized the shared responsibility of employers, employees, and the Department in protecting North Carolina’s workforce.

 

“Under Commissioner Farley’s leadership, our top priority at the department is ensuring North Carolinians go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday,” said Smith. “It’s a privilege to recognize businesses that don’t just talk about safety — they lead by example, day in and day out.”

 

Smith noted that earning a Safety Award sends a powerful message to both employees and the broader business community: that safety is a core value, not just a compliance measure.

 

“It’s an honor to follow Commissioner Farley’s lead and recognize the businesses and individuals who’ve earned these safety awards — not just for what they’ve achieved, but for their daily commitment to creating safe workspaces. When you earn this recognition, you're showing your team that you care — and you're helping set the standard for others to follow,” he added.

 

The awards reflect outstanding on-the-job safety performance during the 2024 calendar year. All recognized employers are based in Morganton or the surrounding region.

 

To be eligible, businesses must have had no fatalities at the award site during the calendar year.

 

• Gold Awards are presented to businesses with DART rates (cases involving days away, restricted duty, or job transfer) at least 50% below the industry average.

 

• Silver Awards are based on days away from work, also with rates at least 50% below the industry average.

 

These benchmarks demonstrate meaningful, measurable outcomes in workplace safety.

 

The Morganton event is one of over two dozen safety awards banquets taking place across the state this spring, as the department recognizes more than 2,000 employers statewide for their efforts.

 

For a full list of award recipients or to learn more about the Safety Awards Program, visit https://www.labor.nc.gov/.

 

More information on the N.C. Department of Labor’s Safety Awards Program is available by calling 919-707-7855 or emailing Kiley Willard at kiley.willard@labor.nc.gov.