Safe Practices Earn Dot Foods Employees $140,000 in Prizes

May 4, 2010 - PRLog -- MT. STERLING, Ill. – Dot Foods celebrated its best safety record ever in 2009 by giving out $140,000 in prizes to 36 warehouse personnel, drivers and support staff across the country. Through successful injury prevention programs, Dot reduced OSHA recordable injuries by 35 percent and affected work days by 43 percent during 2009.

“There were fewer OSHA recordable injuries per 100 employees in 2009 than any year in Dot’s history,” said Don Pierce, employee safety manager. “An employee focus on injury prevention and increased hazard awareness helped set this all-time low record.”

More than 2,300 employees were eligible to participate in the safety incentive program, which was divided into two program categories. Warehouse and support personnel were required to have worked at least 1,000 hours in 2009, have no written disciplinary action and no OSHA recordable injuries, while drivers also had to meet a minimum earning requirement and have no motor vehicle accidents. Departmental warehouse winners received ATVs, and 16 drivers won high-definition TVs. A grand prize winner was drawn from each category, with the option of a new truck, car, boat, motorcycle or camper. Dot also paid the taxes on the prizes.

Wendell Johnson, an order selector in Mt. Sterling, received the warehouse grand prize, selecting a Ford Focus. Cambridge City, Ind.-based Jeramey Mikesell won the driver grand prize, purchasing a Harley with his winnings.

“Every year we continue to recognize employees for safe behavior. The 2010 program will be enhanced with quarterly drawings for drivers and a $2,000 travel voucher for the winning warehouse and support personnel. The grand prize will remain the same,” said Pierce. “Working safely is an expectation for all Dot Foods employees. We will continue working toward our goal of zero injuries and accidents.”

Dot Foods Inc. carries 92,000 products from 500 food industry manufacturers and is the largest food redistributor in the United States. Dot Foods and Dot Transportation sell and deliver foodservice, convenience, retail, vending, equipment and supplies to leading distributors in all 50 states. Dot Foods operates eight distribution centers in: Modesto, Calif.; Vidalia, Ga.; Burley, Idaho; Mt. Sterling, Ill.; Cambridge City, Ind.; Williamsport, Md.; Liverpool, N.Y.; and Ardmore, Okla. For information, visit www.dotfoods.com.

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