Metropolitan State University was recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health at the Governor’s Safety Awards luncheon on Thursday, May 10 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Metropolitan State is one of 279 employers to be honored through the awards program, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council. It is also the first university in the state to achieve the recognition.
“Metropolitan State University enhanced its commitment to a healthy and safe environment last June and is very pleased to have received recognition for our efforts,” said Mark Lenling, Metropolitan State University’s environmental, health and safety officer.
Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national statistics, as well as on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program. Winners are recognized at three levels:
- Meritorious Achievement (182 winners): Incidence rates that are better than the industry average for at least three years, and a score between 50 and 74 on a 100-point safety program evaluation scale.
- Outstanding Achievement (59 winners): Continuing improvement and/or a continuing outstanding record with incident rates that are 51-90 percent better than the industry average, and a score between 75 and 90 on the safety program evaluation scale.
- Award of Honor (38 winners): Incidence rates at least 91 percent better than the industry average, and a score between 91 and 100 on the safety program evaluation scale.
Metropolitan State received a Meritorious Achievement Award based on data recognizing that incidence rates are better than the industry average for at least three years with an above average score on a 100-point safety program evaluation scale.
The Governor’s Safety Awards luncheon is part of the 84th annual Minnesota Safety and Health Conference, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council. The conference is the oldest and largest gathering of workplace safety and health professionals in the region. The Minnesota Safety Council, founded in 1928, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Minnesota by preventing unintentional injuries.