The Minnesota Safety Council has awarded a Governor’s Safety Award to Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Company for superior performance in workplace safety and health.

Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Company is one of 168 employers who will be recognized at the Governor’s Safety Awards luncheon at the Minneapolis Convention Center on May 13, 2011.

“An effective safety program reduces injuries and costs, maximizes productivity and builds morale,” said Carol Bufton, president of the Minnesota Safety Council. “Employers like Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Company understand that safety is good business, now more than ever.”

“This is very important to us that our employees have a safe environment to work in, and that we remain committed to seeing that safety has a high priority in our daily operation,” said Thomas Newell, president of Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Company.

Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with state and national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program. Winners are recognized at three levels:

• Meritorious Achievement (68 winners): Above average performance in incident rates and implementation of at least half of specified safety program benchmarks.

• Outstanding Achievement (58 winners): Continuing improvement and/or a continuing outstanding record and implementation of 75 percent of safety program benchmarks.

• Award of Honor (42 winners): Exceptional accomplishment in reduction of injuries and illnesses in the workplace and implementation of more than 90 percent of specified benchmarks.

Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Company received an Award of Honor.

The Governor’s Safety Award luncheon is part of the 77th Minnesota Safety and Health Conference, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council. The conference is the oldest and largest gathering of workplace safety and health professionals in the region. The Minnesota Safety Council, founded in 1928, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Minnesota by preventing unintentional injuries.