More than 110 Cincinnati Metro operators and maintenance employees were recognized during Cincinnati Metro's 45th annual Safety Awards Luncheon for achieving outstanding safety milestones in safe driving and service.
Milestone awards were given to employees who achieved between five and 35 years without a preventable accident or injury. A preventable accident is one in which the operator did not exercise every available precautionary measure to avoid the accident.
In total, 514 Cincinnati Metro employees worked a full year without a preventable accident or injury. Sixteen employees were celebrated for having reached 10 consecutive years without a preventable accident or injury. Fifteen employees were honored for 15 or more years free of accidents.
One operator, Andrew Rodgers, marked 36 years without a preventable accident.
“It’s been a long stretch, but it feels good,” Rodgers said. “I really enjoy the job. I guess that’s what makes it so easy.”
The employees recognized demonstrate Cincinnati Metro’s commitment to safety, a commitment that saw the company make big strides in 2017. Over the course of the year, Metro:
- Reduced overall preventable accidents by 7.5 percent
- Decreased collisions with parked vehicles by 8 percent
- Reduced off-property collisions by 50 percent
- Reduced recordable injuries in maintenance by 40 percent since 2007
“A strong safety record is one of the most important attributes any transit agency can have,” said Dwight A. Ferrell, Cincinnati Metro CEO and GM. “It’s an honor to celebrate our employees who demonstrate their commitment to safety every day, every trip.”
