For immediate release: March 28, 2012

BWC Recognizes Green Lines Transportation with Safety Innovations Award

Carroll County company recognized for outstanding workplace safety innovations

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) today recognized Carroll County's Green Line Transportation with a People's Choice award during the first annual Safety Innovations Awards competition. Green Lines Transportation received the award at BWC's annual Safety Congress & Expo 2012 (OSC12). Ellen Bryan, Miss Ohio 2011 and lightening safety advocate, joined BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer, to recognize five employers from across the state. BWC nominated the employers for excellence in introducing safety innovations to keep their workers safe and healthy on the job.

"Safety and prevention are key to keeping workers' compensation costs as low as possible, and Ohio companies are innovating each day to protect their workforce," said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. "We are pleased to see so many Ohio businesses taking great initiative in creating safe work environments that minimize the risk of injuries."

The Safety Innovations Awards are new to OSC12. The event is the state's largest and longest-running occupational safety, health and workers' compensation conference. It wraps up Thursday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Safety congress attendees voted for the People's Choice awards presented to each nominee in several categories. These included innovation, simplicity, cost savings, risk reduction and presentation.

Green Lines Transportation received a People's Choice Award in the Presentation Quality category for clearly presenting the problem, solution and impact of its workplace safety solution. Green Lines Transportation (Carroll County) is a specialized motor carrier for transporting heavy general commodities. It has a fleet consisting of approximately 100 flatbed trailers equipped with full tarps. Drivers sustained costly injuries while putting the tarps in place. The company was nominated for its purchase of five quick draw rolling tarp systems that has eliminated the risk of falls, strains and cuts. The company has now had no OSHA-recordable injuries in more than 2 million miles and is saving hours of loading and maintenance.

Bryan is a national spokesperson for lightning safety through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She began promoting her personal platform, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors," after her sister Christina was struck by lightning while working in 2000. Christina suffered lifelong disabilities, leaving her with limited mobility and unable to speak. Ellen served as the spokesperson for both the 2009 and 2010 National Lightning Safety Weeks in June.

The four other People's Choice award winners include the City of Akron (Summit County), Green Lines Transportation (Carroll County), the City of Ironton (Lawrence County) and Marion Goodwill Industries (Marion County).

A panel of judges selected the City of Ironton for the competition’s top award.

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