GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Luke Farley honored dozens of Goldsboro-area employers Thursday during the annual Safety Awards Banquet, recognizing organizations that demonstrated outstanding workplace safety performance over the past year.
The April 16 event, co-sponsored by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, celebrated public and private employers that reported no workplace fatalities and maintained incident rates at least 50 percent below their industry average.
“Goldsboro area job creators are setting a strong example by making workplace safety a top priority,” Farley said. “The organizations recognized today have gone above and beyond to create safe environments for their teams, consistently upholding high standards and demonstrating real care for their workers’ well-being. This recognition reflects a culture where people come first.”
The Goldsboro ceremony is part of Farley’s 20-stop statewide Safety Awards tour, which will present nearly 2,000 awards across North Carolina. Awards are categorized into Gold, Silver, and Million Hour distinctions, each recognizing measurable workplace safety achievements.
Silver Awards were presented to employers with workplace injury rates involving days away from work at least 50 percent below their industry average. Among those recognized were departments within the City of Goldsboro and Wayne County, including Information Technology, Public Works, EMS, Planning, and Solid Waste operations, along with private employers such as S & W Ready Mix Concrete and T.A. Loving Company.
Gold Awards honored employers with DART rates — cases involving days away from work, restricted duty, or job transfers — at least 50 percent below industry averages. Numerous organizations received recognition, including Case Farms facilities, city and county departments across Wayne County, industrial employers, healthcare providers, and construction companies.
Several organizations earned recognition for long-term safety excellence, including departments within the City of Goldsboro and Wayne County that have maintained exceptional safety records for more than two decades. The City of Goldsboro Public Works Garage and Wayne County Human Resources were among those recognized for 22 consecutive years, while Wayne County Soil Conservation, Tax Department, and Veterans Services received awards for 23 consecutive years of safety performance.
In addition, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. received a Million Hour Award for accumulating one million employee hours without any injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
State officials say the Safety Awards Program is designed to encourage accident prevention and promote safer workplaces by recognizing employers and employees who prioritize health and safety standards.
