Kentucky Construction Workers Stand Down for Safety at Champion Petfoods
Gray Construction’s commitment to safety was made loud and clear last Wednesday as hundreds of construction workers stopped their workday to join the National Safety Stand-Down at Champion Petfoods in Auburn, Ky. In addition to Gray’s jobsite workforce, several contractors from other jobs in the region attended the stand-down to participate in hands-on safety training and improve their knowledge on fall prevention.
Falls are the leading cause of death in the industry, killing more than 200 construction workers each year in the United States. Gray joined the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet in the National Safety Stand-Down to raise awareness on the importance of education on fall prevention.
During one demonstration, Danny Vernon, Kentucky Labor Cabinet Partnership Branch Manager, emphasized the importance of safety best practices such as inspecting, wearing, fit testing, storing and cleaning equipment properly. “Even if they have the proper equipment on, if it isn’t being worn properly or it has been damaged, then it is not doing its job,” Vernon told WBKO, which provided local coverage of the event. The labor cabinet added that the attention to detail could be the difference between life and death.
“Initiatives like the National Safety Stand-Down allow us to proactively grow our safety program,” said Jim Grant, Vice President, Safety. “We are excited about expanding our safety partnerships with more organizations to improve not only our own projects, but make an impact on the industry as well.”
During the two-week Safety Stand-Down, May 4-15, the Labor Cabinet’s Division of Education and Training held training sessions at various stand-down events in Kentucky. In September, Gray partnered with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet on safety for the Champion Petfoods project to further execute its No. 1 core value: We put safety and quality of life first.
Champion Petfoods is an independent, award-winning pet food maker with a tradition of innovation and leadership that spans over a quarter century. Champion prepares Biologically Appropriate™ dog and cat food made from Fresh Regional Ingredients that are Never Outsourced (BAFRINO).
Gray Construction, a nationally ranked engineering, architecture and construction firm, has more than 54 years of experience in manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, distribution, hospitality and retail facility construction. Currently, Gray has several large projects that are underway or recently completed including: a Michelin Earthmover tire manufacturing plant in Anderson, S.C.; a Caterpillar Inc. manufacturing facility near Athens, Ga.; a Siemens gas turbine plant in Charlotte, N.C.; a Roxul, Inc. manufacturing facility in Byhalia, Miss.; and a Chelten House processing facility in Las Vegas, Nev.
For more information on Gray’s award-winning safety program, visit here.
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