Lt. Gov. Coleman Congratulates Kentucky Companies on Their Commitment to Worker Safety

Companies logged more than 50.2 million consecutive hours on the job without a workplace injury or illness during 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 18, 2023) – Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman presented the 2023 Governor’s Safety and Health Awards to Kentucky companies whose employees collectively logged more than 50.2 million consecutive hours on the job without a workplace injury or illness during 2022.

“I want to congratulate these companies and their employees for taking workplace safety seriously,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “Together, we are doing everything we can to make sure that workplace safety and health is a core value in every workplace in Kentucky.”

The Lieutenant Governor also touched on the administration’s workforce initiatives that are helping Kentuckians get back to work, protect children, ensure workers’ compensation coverage and the value of safety and health partnerships with the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program.

For more than three decades, the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet and Kentucky Safety and Health Network Inc. have partnered to host the annual Governor’s Safety and Health Conference and Exposition to recognize workplace safety excellence. The event provides employers and employees an opportunity to attend technical training on workplace safety topics and engage with occupational safety and health specialists.

A list of companies receiving the awards along with the number of consecutive hours worked without a lost-time injury accident or illness through Dec. 31, 2022, can be found here.

Lt. Gov. Coleman said members of Team Kentucky work daily to identify unsafe, hazardous or unhealthy environments and stop employer practices that pose dangers.

During fiscal year 2022, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance conducted 997 inspections to ensure safety in our workplaces.

“Just two years ago, we reported that Kentucky’s occupational injury and illness rate had fallen to the lowest point on record since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking that rate in 1996. And I am happy to report that in 2022, we stayed at that low rate,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “I am also happy to announce that between fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the workplace fatality rate declined nearly 30%. Those statistics are worth celebrating, but we also know there is always work to be done.”

Companies interested in learning how they can improve their workplace safety measures can contact the Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance and visit kysafe.ky.gov.