Kentucky Secretary of Labor Joe Norsworthy presented United Defense with the 2001 Governor's Safety and Health Award this week. The award honors the company for the 1.3 million work hours without a single lost-time accident at the Louisville plant.
Site manager, Linda Medley, accepted the award on behalf of employees, saying, "Keeping our employees healthy and safe on the job is very important to both United Defense and the country right now. That's why we're so proud of this award."
Norsworthy commented, "Caring for our fellow workers is what each of us should be about everyday we go to work. United Defense should be proud."
He added their accomplishment is even more impressive given the target number for a company their size is 750,000 hours without a lost-time accident. "They've over-achieved," he joked.
Norsworthy presented identical plaques to both United Defense and local representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 830, which represents many of the plant's employees.
"Credit the employees for this," said Medley. "We're receiving this award because employees look out for themselves and more importantly look out for each other."
According to Medley, that attitude permeates the company and starts with a behavior-based safety program. The program focuses on avoiding behaviors that can lead to accidents, rather than the traditional method of avoiding the accidents themselves.
United Defense designs, develops and produces combat vehicles, artillery, naval guns, missile launchers and precision munitions used by the U.S. Department of Defense and allies worldwide.
edited by Sandy Smith ([email protected])