The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recognized Gate Precast Co. as a 10-year Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) participant during an award ceremony held at the company’s plant in Oxford on Wednesday, Aug. 3.
Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson and Consultative Services Bureau Chief Kevin O’Barr attended the ceremony to personally congratulate company leadership and employees for their outstanding commitment to workplace safety. Gate Precast had its first visit with consultative services in December 2010. After more return visits in 2011 and 2012, Gate Precast was awarded SHARP status in August 2012.
“Congratulations to Gate Precast for reaching the incredible milestone of a continuous decade of participation in the labor department’s SHARP program,” Commissioner Dobson said. “Safety is not just one person. It takes the teamwork of all the employees and leadership to ensure that each employee returns home safely every day to their families.”
Vice President of Operations Travis Fox also praised Gate Precast employees for their long-running safety track record and thanked NCDOL for offering programs like SHARP that empower both workers and leadership to play a vital role in workplace safety and health.
“Gate appreciates that NCDOL provides the SHARP program. We value the assistance the department has provided Gate over the years so that we can continue providing a safe working environment for our Gate family members,” Plant Manager David Owen said. “Employee safety is our number one priority at Gate Precast, and our Gate family members do an exceptional job in working safely and going that extra step in looking out for each other each and every day. I am honored to work with this great group of people and maintaining the SHARP Certification for ten years is a testimony of their dedication to safety.”
Following the presentation of a new SHARP flag and the 10-year award plaque, Commissioner Dobson, Bureau Chief O’Barr and NCDOL staff were given a tour of the Oxford facility. The facility specializes in fabricating precast concrete architectural components used in new construction, as well as renovations, to create customized facades.
SHARP is a nationally recognized program offered to employers across the state. With more than 150 participating establishments from the private and public sector, North Carolina’s SHARP program is one of the largest in the country. Three dozen employers in the state have continuously maintained SHARP status for 10 years or more.