Paragould, Arkansas Plant Recognized With Liberty Mutual Award

Standing – Left to right: David Neighbors, Dale Innis of Liberty Mutual, Bobby Wilson, Hope Lutrell, Mary Pierce, Rachell Boudreau, John Oliver, Jim Rison and Jeremy Dogan. Kneeling – Left to right: Sean Graddy, Scott Maxwell and Joe Upchurch

Safety comes first for manufacturing plant

Not to be denied deserved recognition, Utility’s Paragould, Arkansas dry van manufacturing plant was honored when it was recently presented with the Liberty Mutual Safety Commendation Award. Liberty Mutual’s Safety Awards are based on the days away, restricted and transferred (DART) rate, which is calculated from the number of hours worked relative to the number of accidents at the plant. Lower numbers of accidents result in lower DART rates. In 2015, Utility’s Paragould plant had a DART rate of only 1.76, with over 1.36 million worked hours. The average DART rate for the trailer manufacturing industry was significantly higher, at 4.2.

“Our employees continue to take safety seriously, and we appreciate Liberty Mutual’s continuing recognition of our efforts,” said Sean Graddy, Utility’s Paragould Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager. “This is another significant milestone. The Paragould plant has now received its 10th Liberty Safety Award, and most importantly has continued to maintain an exemplary safety record,” added Bob Griffis, Corporate EHS Manager for Utility Trailer Manufacturing.

David Neighbors, Utility’s Paragould Plant Manager stated; “I am very proud of this group’s dedication to safety. To again be recognized by our partner Liberty Mutual during a year in which this plant set new records for production and efficiency is a tribute to all the employees here. Thanks, Paragould!”