Home » Leggett & Platt in Winchester earns Governor’s Safety and Health Award

Leggett & Platt in Winchester earns Governor’s Safety and Health Award

Winchester factory goes more than 584,000 hours without a lost-time incident

WINCHESTER, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2013) – Kentucky Labor Secretary Larry Roberts joined Leggett & Platt employees and officials today in Winchester to honor the company with the Governor’s Safety and Health Award. The honor recognizes the bedding industry company’s more than 584,205 hours without a lost-time accident or illness.

“Leggett & Platt has been an important part of the Winchester community for more than seven decades,” Roberts said. “We are thankful to have the company in Kentucky, and especially grateful for its dedication to safety, which is evident here today with the Governor’s Safety and Health Award.”

Leggett & Platt first began making and selling its patented bedsprings in 1895 in Missouri. The company added a factory in Winchester in 1942, and has since grown to include 130 facilities in 17 countries. The Winchester facility employs more than 200 people, and produces mattress springs and other bedding components for companies such as Serta, Sealy and King Koil in an eight state region.

“Our employees and managers have done an outstanding job in recognizing the importance of working safely,” said Leggett & Platt Branch Manager Chuck Denisio. “Not only does this award mean we work safely, it means we take care of each other. Our motto is, ‘if you see something, say something.’ Our goal is to have all Leggett & Platt partners working together to create a culture change.”

Local Lodge 619 of the International Association of Machinists represents the workers of Leggett & Platt in Winchester.

“We have always shared the commitment with Leggett & Platt for a safe and healthy workplace,” said Elmer Tolson, president of Local Lodge 619. “Everyone benefits from a safe and healthy work environment, and we look forward to working together in the future.”

The Kentucky Labor Cabinet presents the Governor’s Safety and Health Award in recognition of outstanding safety and health performance. An establishment may qualify for the award if its employees together 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. In the case of Leggett & Platt, the requirement is 500,000 hours.

Every establishment within the geographical boundaries of Kentucky is eligible, even if the establishment won the award the previous year. Eligibility is limited to one award during a 12-month period of time.

The award is a certificate mounted on a wooden plaque. The certificate contains the signatures of Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, Secretary Roberts and Department of Workplace Standards Commissioner Anthony Russell.

For more on the Governor’s Safety and Health Award, and for a list of past winners, click here.

For more on Leggett & Platt, visit www.leggett.com.