Kroger Manufacturing, a division of The Kroger Co. was named on of the safest companies in the U.S. for its accomplishment of having a lower than average injury and illness rates. Kroger operates 42 food processing plants in the U.S.
In honoring Kroger Manufacturing, Occupational Hazards magazine singled out the company's four principles that guide safety practices every day at Kroger: Nothing is worth getting injured over; all injuries can be prevented; safety will be managed; and safe behavior is a condition of employment for all employees. In the past 10 years, accident rates at Kroger Manufacturing have declined more than 75%.
"Some companies still believe that on-the-job injuries and illnesses are a cost of doing business. Kroger Manufacturing sees things quite differently," said Stephen G. Minter, editorial director and publisher of Occupational Hazards. "Kroger understands that work-related injuries and fatalities are a cost -- in human and financial terms -- that no company should expect to incur. That's why they apply their management skills, ingenuity and resources to ensuring that their employees are safe on and off the job."
Occupational Hazards, a Penton Media Inc. publication, founded America's Safest Companies in 2002 to honor the safest companies in the United States. Organizations that are considered for the award must demonstrate the following: support from management and employee involvement; innovative solutions to safety challenges; injury and illness rates lower than the average for their industries; comprehensive training programs; evidence that prevention of incidents is the cornerstone of the safety process; good communication about the value of safety; and a way to substantiate the benefits of the safety process.
"In the past 10 years, Kroger has cut accident rates in half in our stores, manufacturing facilities and warehouses. We believe every individual throughout our organization is responsible for safe work practices and reducing accidents," said William Boehm, senior vice president of The Kroger Co. and president of Kroger Manufacturing.
