Ouachita Hardwood Flooring and Townsend Flooring Inc. held their annual Employee Appreciation Day on Friday, with both local factories receiving prestigious state awards.
Clark Thomas of Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing was on hand to present plaques to each firm for having three years of zero safety violations.
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Freelance Contributor
Owner and General Manager Shay Dugal accepted the awards along with safety consultant Ricky Geiger and production manager. Also participating in the ceremony were Union Bank, which provided food for the employees; Yancy Kyle, field representative for U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman; translator Martha Chavez, who also did woodburning on cutting boards given to the employees; and Tommy Maxwell, owner of sister company Maxwell Hardwood Flooring Inc. of Monticello.
“Your hard work every day has showed your growth and pride,” Dugal told the approximately 100 employees. “It takes a lot of work to have a safe workplace.”
“Our record with OSHA was less than stellar five years ago. The goal is no accidents at all,” Geiger said. He noted CPR and first aid training was added and, “The end result is zero accidents.”
“Without managers and employees together, this kind of milestone would not occur,” Thomas said. He said from Oct. 1, 2021-Sept. 30, 2022, the state had 25 workplace fatalities. So far this fiscal year, there have been 14 fatalities, 32 amputations and several hospitalizations. On April 28, the state will hold a memorial service for workplace fatalities.
Ouachita Hardwood began business in 2005, producing solid flooring. Townsend Flooring began in 2011, producing engineered flooring.
