HAWESVILLE, Ky. (May 3, 2018)—Labor Cabinet Deputy Secretary Mike Nemes visited Domtar Mill in Hawesville today to present a Governor’s Safety and Health Award for the 1,111,576 production hours worked without a lost-time incident by employees.
“I want to congratulate Domtar Mill in Hawesville on earning its second Governor’s Safety and Health Award,” said Labor Secretary Derrick Ramsey. “Working over one million hours without a lost-time incident is a great accomplishment, and I appreciate their dedication to workplace safety. 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 Domtar Mill for all of their hard work in helping achieve this goal.”
Established in 1967, Domtar provides a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp and absorbent hygiene products. Currently, Domtar has approximately 10,000 employees serving more than 50 countries around the world. The integrated pulp and paper mill is the second-largest employer in Hawesville, supporting more than 450 jobs with an annual estimated regional economic impact of $1.5 billion. The mill produces nearly 600,000 tons of paper annually, primarily in printing and writing paper, as well as hardwood market pulp.
“Our Hawesville employees are greatly appreciative of this recognition from the Governor’s Office,” said Grant Forrest, general manger. “For us, this award is more about recognizing our employees are successfully working injury-free at our workplace. Safety performance remains a core value for our mill and company and we strive to work each and every day injury-free.”
“This is a great accomplishment that underscores just how committed Domtar Mill and its employees are to workplace safety,” Rep. Dean Schamore (Hardinsburg) said. “I want to thank those who played a role in making this possible, and I appreciate the Labor Cabinet for recognizing this milestone with the Governor’s Safety and Health Award.”
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet presents the Governor’s Safety and Health Award to highlight outstanding safety and health performance in Kentucky’s workplaces. A business may qualify for the award if its employees achieve a required number of hours worked without experiencing a lost-time injury or illness. The required number of hours is dependent upon the number of employees.
According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Kentucky employers reported the lowest incident rate for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the state’s history.
Based on a mathematical calculation that describes the number of recordable incidents per 100 full-time employees, Kentucky’s rate improved from 3.7 in 2015 to 3.4 in 2016. This rate has steadily declined since it was first calculated in 1996, when a rate of 8.4 was reported.
Along with the Kentucky Safety and Health Network, the Division of Occupational Safety & Health Education & Training also co-hosts the Governor’s Safety and Health Conference and Exposition each year. The 34th annual conference will take place next month at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green from May 8-11, 2018. For more info and to register for the conference, please visit kshn.net.
The Labor Cabinet’s Division of Occupational Safety & Health Education & Training leads the Cabinet’s proactive efforts to create safe and healthful workplace conditions through an initiative called KY Safe.
For more information on the Governor’s Safety and Health Award, click here.
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