Lincolnton, N.C. — More than two dozen employers across Lincoln County were recognized for their exceptional workplace safety records at the N.C. Department of Labor’s annual Safety Awards Banquet, held Thursday, May 15, at the Lincoln Cultural Center.

The event, co-hosted with the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, celebrated businesses and public sector organizations that have gone above and beyond in creating safer working environments. The awards, based on 2024 performance, reflect a continued dedication to preventing injuries and building a culture of safety across the region.

Deputy Commissioner and Occupational Safety and Health Director Scott Mabry delivered remarks on behalf of Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, emphasizing the importance of leadership and teamwork in achieving strong safety outcomes.

“Under Commissioner Farley’s leadership, the department’s top priority is making sure North Carolina workers go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday,” Mabry said. “It’s an honor to 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 workspaces.”

Awards Criteria and Recipients

Gold and Silver Safety Awards were presented to companies with job injury rates at least 50% below the industry average, with no fatalities at the award site during the year.

Silver Award Recipients (First Year unless otherwise noted):

• City of Lincolnton – Administrative Offices
• City of Lincolnton – Public Works Department
• Lincoln County Government – Public Works
• Lincoln County Government – Solid Waste Department
• Tenowo Inc.
• Atrium Health – Lincoln Hospital (Second Consecutive Year)

Gold Award Recipients:

• Corning – Hickory Cable Plant
• Heidelberg Materials – Denver Shop
• Husky Rack and Wire – Wire Division
• Lincoln County Government – Grounds Maintenance
• Lincoln County Government – Health Department
• Lincoln County Government – Parks and Recreation
• Lincoln County Government – Tax Department
• Medline Industries – LP B33
• Punker LLC
• United Plate Glass of Charlotte LLC
• Atrium Health – West Lincoln Family Medicine (Second Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Jail (Third Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Library (Fourth Year)
• City of Lincolnton – Parks and Recreation (Fifth Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Fire Marshal’s Office (Sixth Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Transportation (TLC) (Seventh Year)
• Lincoln County Government – E911 Communications Center (Seventh Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Register of Deeds (Ninth Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Board of Elections (Ninth Year)
• The M. Conley Company (Tenth Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Finance, Cooperative Extension, IT, Senior Services, Veterans Services (Twelfth Year)
• Lincoln County Government – Emergency Management (Thirteenth Year)
• Lincoln County Government – County Manager’s Office, HR, Soil & Water Conservation (Fourteenth Year)
• Duke Energy – Lincoln Combustion Turbine Plant (Twenty-Ninth Consecutive Year)

Million-Hour Awards

Several companies also received Million-Hour Awards, recognizing organizations that reached one million employee hours without a single injury or illness involving days away from work—an extraordinary benchmark in occupational safety.

The Lincolnton banquet was one of more than two dozen events held across North Carolina this spring, as the Labor Department celebrates more than 2,000 employers statewide for their safety achievements.

For more information about the Safety Awards Program or to view the full list of award recipients, visit www.labor.nc.gov, or contact Kiley Willard at [email protected] or 919-707-7855.