A Mars Petcare facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas has received a Three Million Work Hours Safety Award from the Arkansas Department of Labor for accumulating three million work hours over six years without a lost day away from work due to a work-related injury or illness.
Congressman Steve Womack will visit the facility for the presentation ceremony as well as Tim Allen, president & CEO of Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce and Patricia Hart, director of health & safety division of Arkansas Workman’s Compensation Commission. Ralph Hudson, deputy director of the Arkansas Department of Labor will present the award to honor the Associates achievement and commitment to creating a safe work environment. Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders will issue a proclamation congratulating the site on this accomplishment.
Creating safe work environments
“Across our Mars network, safety is our top priority and we are so proud of our Associates for building off of last year’s award and showing a consistent and steadfast commitment to safety here in Fort Smith,” said Russ Hayes, Mars Petcare Fort Smith site director. “This is our sixth year without incident and this award speaks volumes to the efforts our entire team continues to put forth.”
In May 2017, Mars Petcare's facility in Miami, Oklahoma received the same award from Oklahoma Department of Labor for accumulating three million work hours over seven years without a lost day away from work due to a work-related injury or illness.
Mars Petcare has worked to grow its presence in Fort Smith, and in the past three years the company has invested $122 million and has 255 new Associates. Mars has also participated in volunteer projects with local organizations such as Sebastian County Humane Society, Next Step Homeless Services and Antioch Discovery Garden.
Outside of Fort Smith, Mars Petcare was listed as one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2018, for the sixth year in a row.