The N.C. Department of Labor recognized outstanding workplace safety achievements by Morganton area employers and employees during the N.C. Department of Labor’s annual Safety Awards Banquet, held Tuesday, May 6, at the Morganton Community House.

The event, co-hosted by the Burke County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Case Farms Chicken, with CarolinaWest Wireless as the Program Investor, celebrated companies that have demonstrated a strong commitment to injury prevention and fostering a culture of workplace safety.

In his keynote remarks, Recognition Program Manager LaMont Smith emphasized the shared responsibility of employers, employees, and the Department in protecting North Carolina’s workforce.

“Under Commissioner Farley’s leadership, our top priority at the department is ensuring North Carolinians go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday,” said Smith. “It’s a privilege to recognize businesses that don’t just talk about safety — they lead by example, day in and day out.”

Smith noted that earning a Safety Award sends a powerful message to both employees and the broader business community: that safety is a core value, not just a compliance measure.

“It’s an honor to follow Commissioner Farley’s lead 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 workspaces. When you earn this recognition, you're showing your team that you care — and you're helping set the standard for others to follow,” he added.

The awards reflect outstanding on-the-job safety performance during the 2024 calendar year. All recognized employers are based in Morganton or the surrounding region.

To be eligible, businesses must have had no fatalities at the award site during the calendar year.

• Gold Awards are presented to businesses with DART rates (cases involving days away, restricted duty, or job transfer) at least 50% below the industry average.

• Silver Awards are based on days away from work, also with rates at least 50% below the industry average.

These benchmarks demonstrate meaningful, measurable outcomes in workplace safety.

The Morganton event is one of over two dozen safety awards banquets taking place across the state this spring, as the department recognizes more than 2,000 employers statewide for their efforts.

For a full list of award recipients or to learn more about the Safety Awards Program, visit https://www.labor.nc.gov/.

Silver Awards

Criteria: Rate of days from work must be at least 50% below the industry average.

First Year

Bernhardt Furniture, Outlet Store 2 

Bernhardt Furniture, Plant No. 9 

City of Morganton, Administrative Departments 

City of Morganton, Sanitation Department 

NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, South Mountains State Park 

Town of Granite Falls, Police Department

Second Consecutive Year

Bernhardt Furniture, Plant No. 7 

City of Morganton, Recreation Department 

UNC Health Blue Ridge Hospitals

Third Consecutive Year

Town of Valdese, Public Works

Fifth Consecutive Year

Bernhardt Furniture Company, Plant No. 2

Gold Awards

Criteria: Rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction must be at least 50% below the industry average.

 First Year

American Roller Bearing Company, Heat Treat Department 

Bernhardt Furniture, Plant No. 5 

Bruce Allen Construction Company LLC, Morganton Facility 

City of Morganton, Compas Cable

Molded Fiber Glass NC 

Town of Granite Falls 

Town of Valdese, Fire Department 

Town of Valdese, Police Department

Second Consecutive Year

American Roller Bearing Company, Administration Department

American Roller Bearing Company, Grinding Department 

American Roller Bearing Company, Inspection Department 

American Roller Bearing Company, Machine Shop Department

American Roller Bearing Company, Morganton Facility 

Case Farms, Morganton Hatchery

Catawba Valley Staffing Inc., Marion Area 

Catawba Valley Staffing Inc., Morganton Area 

Catawba Valley Staffing Inc., Valdese Area 

City of Morganton, Electric Department 

City of Morganton, Municipal Auditorium 

Town of Valdese, Wastewater Department

Third Consecutive Year

American Roller Bearing Company, Maintenance Department 

City of Morganton, Cemetery & Grounds 

City of Morganton, Wastewater Treatment Plant 

City of Morganton, Water Treatment Plant 

Foothills Industries Inc. 

SAFT America Inc. 

SGL Carbon LLC 

Town of Valdese, Recreation Department

Fourth Consecutive Year

Bernhardt Furniture, Plant No. 4 

Vulcan Construction Materials LP, Mideast Division - Avery Sales Yard

Vulcan Construction Materials LP, Mideast Division - Lenoir Quarry 

Vulcan Construction Materials LP, Mideast Division - Morganton Quarry 

Vulcan Construction Materials LP, Mideast Division - Spruce Pine

Seventh Consecutive Year

Bernhardt Furniture Company, Central Services - Maintenance 

Dodge Industrial

Eighth Consecutive Year

Town of Granite Falls, Recreation Department 

Town of Valdese, Water Department

Ninth Consecutive Year

Town of Granite Falls, Fire Department 

Town of Granite Falls, Public Utilities 

Town of Granite Falls, Public Works

11th Consecutive Year

American Roller Bearing Company, Shipping/Assembly Department

City of Morganton, Community House & Main Street 

City of Morganton, Development & Design

 14th Consecutive Year

Town of Valdese, Community Affairs Department

38th Consecutive Year

Town of Valdese, Administration Department

Source: NC Department of Labor.