FILE: Bo Matthews, superintendent of Barren County Schools, engages with a student while visiting North Jackson Elementary.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
SUBMITTED TO WCLU News
GLASGOW — The Barren County Board of Education has been recognized for its workplace safety efforts and has received the KEMI Destiny Award for the third time.
Yearly safety training for all employees of district schools is held alongside the Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI). Every employee from teachers, maintenance, and custodial staff to on-site nurses and mental health professionals is a part of the training.
“The Board places safety as one of the top priorities to maintain the school district’s culture,” according to a news release from the Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance. “Leadership ensures all people involved know preventing safety issues needs to be top of mind.”
An emergency binder and flipcharts on what to do in possible scenarios are placed in classrooms across the district to help lower the chance of accidents.
Finance Director for the Barren County Board of Education Joseph Murley says KEMI helps them prevent possible safety issues, and they take their recommendations seriously.
KEMI is the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance and recognizes employers for their commitment to workplace safety annually. The Destiny Awards are presented to policyholders that best exemplify KEMI’s motto, “Control your own destiny.” The awards symbolize what can be accomplished when organizations work together to improve workplace safety.
Murley notes that the school district appreciates receiving this award as well as their partnership with KEMI, and they look forward to many continued years of working together.
Policyholders that earn the KEMI Destiny Award effectively demonstrate 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.
“Destiny Award winners are part of an elite group of organizations that have emphasized safety each day and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of Kentucky’s workforce,” remarked Jon Stewart, President and CEO of KEMI.
To celebrate the announcement of this award, the Barren County Board of Education held a presentation and ceremony at their office.
For organizations interested in increasing their safety skills, KEMI offers free safety resources to the public through worksafeky.com. The website features an array of safety articles, best practices and helpful links.
