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AHOSKIE – North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley recognized outstanding workplace safety achievements by Ahoskie-area employers and employees during the Department of Labor’s annual Safety Awards Banquet held May 8 at Roanoke–Chowan Community College.

The event, co-hosted with the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce, celebrated companies that have demonstrated a strong commitment to preventing injuries and building a culture of safety in the workplace.

In his keynote remarks, Farley emphasized the shared responsibility of employers, employees, and the Department in protecting North Carolina’s workforce.

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

Farley 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.

“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 Ahoskie 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.

Silver Awards

First Year

Fred Smith Company, Ahoskie

 

Gold Awards

First Year

City of Elizabeth City, Code Enforcement

City of Elizabeth City, Customer Service

City of Elizabeth City, Electric Department

City of Elizabeth City, Finance

City of Elizabeth City, Information Technologies

City of Elizabeth City, Inspections

City of Elizabeth City, Load Management

City of Elizabeth City, Police Department

City of Elizabeth City, Sanitation Department

City of Elizabeth City, Streets

City of Elizabeth City, Water and Sewer Department

City of Elizabeth City, Water Treatment Plant

Coastal Agrobusiness Inc, Murfreesboro

Gregory Poole Equipment Company, Rental Camden Branch

Jernigan Oil

Town of Ahoskie, Police Department

Town of Ahoskie, Street Department

 

Second

Consecutive Year

City of Elizabeth City, Planning Department

Coastal Agrobusiness Inc, Edenton

Hertford County Local Government, Emergency Services/Emergency Management

Hertford County Local Government, Sheriff’s Office

Hertford County Local Government, Solid Waste/Public Works/Public Buildings

 

Third

Consecutive Year

City of Elizabeth City, Parks and Recreation Department

Hertford County Local Government, Department of Social Services

Hertford County Local Government, Detention Center

Hertford County Local Government, Office of Aging/Elections/Veteran Service

Town of Ahoskie, Sanitation Department

Town of Ahoskie, Town Clerk

 

Fourth

Consecutive Year

Systems Plant Services, Inc, Hertford County Jobsite

Town of Ahoskie, Buildings & Grounds

Town of Ahoskie, Public Works

Town of Ahoskie, Water and Sewer Department

 

Sixth

Consecutive Year

City of Elizabeth City, Purchasing

Gregory Poole Equipment Company, Wanchese Marine

 

Ninth

Consecutive Year

Hertford County Local Government, Central Communication (E-911)

 

Tenth

Consecutive Year

Hertford County Local Government, Administration

Hertford County Local Government, Tax Assessor/Collector

 

Twelfth

Consecutive Year

City of Elizabeth City, Human Resources

 

Thirteenth

Consecutive Year

Town of Ahoskie, Human Resources

 

Fifteenth

Consecutive Year

City of Elizabeth City, Administration

 

Sixteenth

Consecutive Year

Town of Ahoskie, Finance

Town of Ahoskie, Fire Protection

Town of Ahoskie, Planning and Zoning

Town of Ahoskie, Executive Office – Administration

Town of Ahoskie, Waste Water Treatment Plant

 

Eighteenth

Consecutive Year

Berry Global, Inc., Ahoskie Plant

 

Twenty-Second

Consecutive Year

Piedmont Natural Gas, Elizabeth City Operations

 

Twenty-Third

Consecutive Year

Nucor Steel, Hertford County

 

The Ahoskie event was one of over two dozen safety awards banquets taking place across the state this spring as the NC Department of Labor recognizes more than 2,000 employers statewide for their efforts.

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.