Pa. Labor Dept. Honors Bucks County Business With Workplace Safety Award

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 13 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued the following news:

Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Deputy Secretary for Compensation and Insurance Scott G. Weiant today presented Derstine's Inc. in Sellersville with the Governor's Award for Safety Excellence, highlighting the importance of workplace safety committees.

"Derstine's has made equipment upgrades and warehouse improvements designed to help ensure worker safety," Weiant said. "Some of the proactive safety measures they invested in, like a top-of-the-line lighting upgrade and forklifts equipped with dead-stop triggers, highlight the company's daily commitment to keeping workers safe and injury free."

All Pennsylvania employers are eligible for the Governor's Award for Safety Excellence. Information and criteria used to determine finalists include rates of workplace injuries/illnesses versus industry standards and innovation and strategic development of safety policy and approaches.

"This award is an incredible honor and is a culmination of our efforts to put the safety of our employees first," said Derstine's Inc. Vice President Brendan Triplett. "We recognize the individual successes of each employee at Derstine's Inc. that have contributed in creating a culture of safety that has fostered a stronger and more productive workforce. The dedication of every employee, and the professionalism of our safety committee, have made this possible. We are so very grateful to have been recognized for our efforts and look forward to continuing to set the standard for company safety in the commonwealth."

Derstine's is an independent, family-owned, full-line foodservice distributor. Since 1983, the Bucks County employer, with 86 employees, has provided regional food operations and restaurants with solutions to serve their customers with great food and quality products. The company features an all-inclusive Workplace Safety Committee where all employees are encouraged to participate and have the opportunity to join virtual meetings.

The company has an outstanding vehicle fleet safety program with 12 trucks and drivers. Drivers, who each receive weekly safety ratings, can be redirected and rerouted in real-time to avoid hazardous road conditions. Additionally, the company's trucks are GPS-governed to a maximum speed of 65 mph to further ensure safety.

Weiant said certified workplace safety committees, overseen by L&I's Bureau of Workers' Compensation Health & Safety Division, are key for both cost and safety.

"Safe, accident-free workplaces not only keep workers safe from death or injury, but companies can also benefit through reduced workers' compensation costs," Weiant said. "Workplace safety committees are a valuable tool to reduce workers' injuries, and companies with a certified committee also receive a 5 percent discount on their workers' comp insurance premiums."

More than 12,800 state-certified workplace safety committees have been established since March 1994, protecting more than 1.6 million workers. Additionally, employers with certified workplace safety committees have saved more than $838 million in workers' compensation premiums. These savings in insurance costs are due solely to the 5 percent premium discount provided to businesses that have these committees.