Eastern Kentucky University brought home the distinguished “Destiny” safety award for the second year in a row from Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance (KEMI), the university has announced.
The award was presented to EKU by Jeff Floyd, Safety & Loss Control Manager of KEMI, the company that provides the university’s loss prevention protection, at a virtual ceremony in December.
“The thing about this award is that it’s a measure of the whole university. It shows that you have an excellent management team in place overseeing the safety and health of employees and students,” said Floyd. “But it also shows that your employees, from management all the way down to the person who was hired two months ago, have bought into what you are doing, involved in the safety program and following the guidelines.”
The Destiny Awards are presented annually by KEMI to worker’s compensation policyholders that best embody KEMI’s motto, “Control your own destiny.” The award symbolizes the accomplishments that occur when organizations come together to enhance safety in the workplace.
“Employee safety, reduced insurance costs, increased productivity, increased morale. This all comes with a positive safety culture,” said Dr. Bryan Makinen, associate vice president for public safety. “We have seen a monumental shift over the last decade in that area. It is exciting to see this unfolding and it has been a wonderful journey.”
Policyholders who earn the Destiny Award successfully exhibit their ability to manage a formal safety program, provide on-site training and regular safety meetings for employees, and display an ongoing commitment to safety from all levels throughout their organizations.
“We are extremely proud to recognize these 28 organizations for their commitment to workplace safety,” said Jon Stewart, president & CEO of KEMI. “These policyholders have exemplified their commitment to safety by partnering with KEMI to control their workers’ compensation cost, and most importantly working to ensure the safety and well-being of every one of their employees.”
KEMI looked at criteria for awarding companies a bit differently this year as COVID-19 has created many new safety measures, and yet EKU still came out on top.
“We are proud and humbled to receive this award,” said Makinen. “This is a bright shining spot in the midst of COVID and we have a team that is truly second to none.”
“The fun part about this has been the increase in communication and people coming together who ordinarily may not and learning from each other,” said Floyd. “We look forward to many years of partnership and success.”