The Aviation Department is the first City of Charlotte department and first airport operator in the country designated a Carolina Public Sector Star recipient by the North Carolina Department of Labor. It’s the second consecutive year the Aviation Department has received the distinction. The Carolina Public Sector Star Program recognizes state agencies and local governments for their leadership and success in providing a safe and healthy work environment. The official announcement was made today during a ceremony at the CLT Center.
“Through this program, the Aviation Department has about 650 employees who actively participate in promoting a safe and healthy working environment,” said N.C. Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry in a statement. “Staff also had partnerships with the Occupational Safety and Health Division during the extensive expansion of the facility. I’m so proud of all the efforts made by the Aviation Department to achieve the coveted Star status.”
Last year, the Aviation Department’s administration, legal, development, communications, marketing and operations divisions were named Carolina Public Sector Star recipients. Today, the facilities division received the honor, denoting the entire Aviation Department is now a Carolina Public Sector Star recipient. “This is a great accomplishment for our staff,” said Brent Cagle, aviation director/CEO of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. “Overall as a department, we are committed to being a leader in safety for our community as well as the aviation industry.”
The Star designation aligns with a core Aviation Department strategic principle – Safety and Security. During the Star process, five focus areas were identified: management commitment and leadership, safety and health training, employee involvement and participation, hazard prevention and control and hazard identification and evaluation.
Requirements of the Star Program included a review of the Aviation Department Safety and Health Management System. Emphasis was placed on a thorough review of safety and health policies and procedures, worksite inspections, a three-year review of Aviation Department employee injury and illness rates and employee involvement and participation in training and ownership of safety.
N.C. Department of Labor staff was on site in June to score the Aviation Department in various safety and health categories. The final score was 95 out of 100 percent. “This score represents our level of commitment to safety standards and best practices,” said Ella Rice Moultrie, safety and health manager for the Aviation Department. “We had 100 percent buy-in from our leadership team and employees from the start, which placed us on a path to success.”