HC Receives SHARP Award

(Spruce Pine, NC) North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, along with officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) presented its distinguished Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award to Highland Craftsmen Inc at the company’s manufacturing facility in Spruce Pine, NC. Company employees were joined by state, county and town representatives. These included Juleigh Sitton, the Director of Governor Perdue’s Western Office; Mitchell County Manager Charles Vines; Town of Spruce Pine Mayor, Ralph Hise and Town Manager Richard Canipe.

SHARP is the highest honor OSHA awards to small worksites that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to workplace safety and health. There are eighty-nine SHARP companies in North Carolina. Forty-one of those are in the West district, which contains thirty-five counties. HC is the first business in Mitchell County to receive this honor.

During the ceremony, HC owner, Marty McCurry thanked the employees for their daily contribution to the company’s success, stating, “We spend more time together than we do with our families. It’s important that we take care of each other and providing a safe work environment is our primary responsibility”. McCurry went on to thank the community for its support.

Highland Craftsmen Inc is a company that has created many new products from what was once considered forest waste, including their nationally acclaimed Bark House^® brand shingles. This involved designing and constructing several new tools. HC VP and Occupational Health Nurse, Chris McCurry states “We didn’t just want to get the job done, we wanted to do it right”. Chris and company Safety Manager, Gary McCurry, coordinated OSHA visits to ensure that the company lives up to it’s guiding principle, “Simply do your best on everything, every time”. At the end of the process, HC staffers would definitely recommend calling the OSHA team in to review company policies and procedures. “They were thorough, but great to work with,” acknowledges Gary. “With OSHA’s help, we have improved our safety program with participation from all employees.”

Acceptance into SHARP by OSHA identifies a company as a model for worksite safety and health. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, a worksite is exempt from programmed inspections for two years. After this exemption period is over, the employer may be awarded a renewal of up to three years.