GOLDSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley recognized dozens of businesses and government agencies from Goldsboro and surrounding communities for their commitment to workplace safety during the annual Goldsboro Safety Awards Banquet held April 16 at Walnut Creek Country Club.
The event, hosted in partnership with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, celebrated employers and employees who demonstrated exemplary safety performance throughout 2024.
During his keynote address, Commissioner Farley emphasized that workplace safety remains his top priority across North Carolina.
“As Labor Commissioner, my top priority is making sure North Carolina workers go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday,” Farley said. “It’s an honor to travel across our state and recognize the businesses and individuals who’ve earned these safety awards — not just for what they’ve achieved, but for their daily commitment to creating safe workplaces.”
Farley added that earning the awards reflects a strong commitment to employees and workplace culture.
“Earning this recognition sends a powerful message: you care about your people, and you’re serious about safety,” he said. “We all have a role — workers, supervisors, managers and the Department — in building a culture where safety isn’t just a rule, it’s a shared mission.”
Recognizing Safety Excellence
The awards recognize businesses with exceptional on-the-job safety performance during 2024. To qualify, companies must have had no fatalities at the location being recognized.
- Gold Awards were presented to companies with a Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (DART) rate at least 50% below the statewide industry average.
- Silver Awards were awarded to companies with cases involving days away from work at least 50% below the industry average.
Silver Award Recipients
Among those receiving Silver Awards for their first year of recognition were:
- City of Goldsboro (Information Technology, Public Utilities Compost Plant, Public Works divisions)
- County of Wayne (EMS, Planning Department, Solid Waste – Landfill)
- City of Clinton Police Department
- T.A. Loving Company (multiple divisions)
- S & W Ready Mix Concrete Co., LLC (Clinton Plant)
The County of Wayne Health Department and T.A. Loving Company Equipment Division were recognized for a second consecutive year, while the City of Goldsboro Police Department earned a third consecutive year Silver Award.
Gold Award Recipients
Numerous organizations received Gold Awards, including:
- Case Farms facilities in Goldsboro and Calypso
- City of Goldsboro departments including Fire Headquarters, Inspections, Parks and Recreation, Public Utilities, and Travel and Tourism
- County of Wayne departments including Facilities Services and Literacy Connections
- UNC Health Lenoir
- West Pharmaceutical Services
- Piedmont Natural Gas Company
- Seegars Fence Company
- Uchiyama Manufacturing America
- Coastal AgroBusiness Inc.
- Core Properties and Development
Several organizations were also recognized for multiple consecutive years of safety excellence, including:
- City of Goldsboro Public Utilities Water Treatment Plant (7 consecutive years)
- UNC Health Wayne (7 consecutive years)
- County of Wayne Office of Emergency Services/911 (10 consecutive years)
- City of Goldsboro Planning Department (13 consecutive years)
- City of Goldsboro Human Resources (15 consecutive years)
- City of Goldsboro Public Works Garage (22 consecutive years)
- County of Wayne Tax Department and Soil Conservation (23 consecutive years)
Million Hour Award
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. was also recognized with a Million Hour Award for accumulating one million employee hours without any injuries or illnesses involving days away from work between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
Officials say the awards highlight the importance of safety-first workplace cultures and the collective effort required to reduce injuries and protect employees across North Carolina’s workforce.
