Representatives from the North Carolina Department of Labor were in town this week to present the SHARP Award, the second-highest workplace safety award in the state, to the safety committee for Service Thread Co.

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award recognizes small to mid-sized businesses that have developed and maintained effective safety programs to promote safe and productive working environments. Those who receive the distinction are exempted from programmed occupational safety and health compliance inspections for two years.

The labor officials told Service Thread employees that they are among a small group of award recipients. Only around 80 companies currently have the SHARP award, while around 70 have the STAR award, putting Service Thread Co. in the top 150 employers in the state for safety. The state has roughly 300,000 employers, labor officials said.

Grady Bebber, OSHA consultation supervisor with DOL, said the award is an important recognition of workplace safety.

“It recognizes the outstanding safety and management the company has in place, and the safety and wellbeing of employees.” Bebber said.

Bebber said that there are two parts to having a successful safety program.

“The employer has to make a major commitment and the employees need to be involved,” Bebber said.

“You folks have achieved it,” Bebber told plant officials. “I would like to say how proud we are to do this.”

“It is you who do the work,” Bebber said. “It is time for you to take pride in what you do.”

Terry Conrad, occupational safety consultant with the DOL, told plant officials that they are on the next level of plant safety, and will likely receive the STAR award, the top workplace safety award in the state, if they continue to achieve the same level of safety.

“You are the best of the best; you are already here,” Conrad said.

Safety is cost effective for the company and saves the state money, said Roseanne Morgan, industrial hygiene consultant with DOL.

“We are very proud to receive this award,” said Eric Shippee, safety committee chair. “We are happy we have maintained the standards.”

The company first received the SHARP award in 2007.

Shippee said this award reflects the values of the company and its commitment to its employees.

Earning the award was no easy task, according to Hope Dohogn, human resources manager.

"We had to organize the safety committee, do regular facility inspections and implement written safety and health policies," Dohogn said.

She listed some of the 100 or so requirements Service Thread Co. had to meet to earn the SHARP award:

• Hazard anticipation and detection

• Hazard prevention and control

• Safety and health planning and evaluation

• Administration and supervision

• Safety and health training

• Management leadership

• Employee participation

• Be at or below half the national average for workplace-related injuries and illnesses

Service Thread, which employees roughly 100 people, manufactures industrial thread for a number of products, including automotive hoses and belting, garden hoses, industrial sewing and wire and cable applications.

The company is based in Laurinburg, with both a plant and distribution center in town. It is owned by Laurinburg native Chip Butler.