One store in each division receives the Safety Award for demonstrating a commitment to safety, based on incident frequency, cost rates and how each location proactively manages safety.
Winning stores receive $500 to host a celebration of this recognition, and each associate receives a safety award lapel pin to honor their contribution to safety.
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Atlanta Division
#1392, Clarksville, Tenn. – Store Manager Norman Rubio
What was your reaction when you heard your store won this award?
This was one of the proudest moments of my Publix career! Our PreventionPlus team had given a tremendous amount of personal effort in achieving positive results throughout 2013.
How do you and your associates make sure your store is a safe place to work and shop?
Our consistent focus is to be proactive and not reactive. Our entire store team has bought into the concept that the whole store — not just our PreventionPlus team — is responsible for safe behaviors on a daily basis.
What advice do you have for other stores to improve safety?
It starts with the store manager. We have a responsibility to our associates and Publix to model safe behaviors and consistently coach our teams. Driving this approach on a consistent basis ensures legitimate buy-in from our teams and helps us reach the goal of safe behaviors every day.
Charlotte Division
#526, Evans, Ga. – Store Manager Derek Blankenship
What was your reaction when you heard your store won this award?
Thankful for the recognition to our team
How do you and your associates make sure your store is a safe place to work and shop?
We make safety a focus in our store meetings and our store walks.
What advice do you have for other stores to improve safety?
Talk about safety with all associates, recognize good habits and thank them for following proper procedures.
Jacksonville Division
#1210, Fleming Island, Fla. – Store Manager Kirk Nicholson
What was your reaction when you heard your store won this award?
I was very pleased and proud we had earned the award.
How do you and your associates make sure your store is a safe place to work and shop?
We follow the requirements for the job classes in all departments. In addition, everyone carries a paper towel in their pockets to clean up small spills.
What advice do you have for other stores to improve safety?
Be alert for anything that could be a potential hazard for your customers or associates at all times.
Lakeland Division
#305, St. Petersburg, Fla. – Store Manager Thomas Carr
What was your reaction when you heard your store won this award?
At the beginning of 2013, I knew we had some work to do to improve our safety KPIs, and I’m proud we exceeded our goals.
How do you and your associates make sure your store is a safe place to work and shop?
I’ve been part of a district safety focus team in the past, so I took those tools and ideas and passed them along to my assistant store manager. I worked with him as he worked with the PreventionPlus team and really brought those ideas to life.
What advice do you have for other stores to improve safety?
It’s about inspecting every day. The PreventionPlus team members walk a department other than their own each day. This allows them to see a different environment from a safety standpoint. The idea is to get everyone involved in safety — not just the team members. Don’t let your teammates fail at safety, or we all fail. Inspect what you expect.
Miami Division
#772, Sebastian, Fla. – Store Manager Mitch Biggles
What was your reaction when you heard your store won this award?
Very happy that our team efforts achieved for us such a prestigious award. This award is something to be very proud of.
How do you and your associates make sure your store is a safe place to work and shop?
We have implemented a system that involves every department in the store. Each department has a scheduled time to dust mop and spot mop the entire store daily, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. We also have a checklist on our proactive walk that requires the MIC to check for any hazards in the store.
What advice do you have for other stores to improve safety?
Honestly, it just takes a total team effort and getting everyone’s buy-in.
Back to “Let’s give three cheers for these award-winning teams!”
More 2013 Company Awards
George W. Jenkins award winners follow in our founder’s footsteps
