Bowling Green manufacturer Sun Products is one of just 12 companies in the state to achieve Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program certification.

State officials on Wednesday congratulated the company for its efforts – the SHARP certification process is a two-year review and formulation of company safety programs. Sun also was recognized for working more than 5 million hours without a lost-time injury, something that is rare, according to state officials.

With nearly 1,000 employees working at some point during the 24-7 manufacturing facility, 5 million hours represents more than three years of work. This health and safety award is the second one the company has received from the state.

Sun CEO Neil P. DeFeo said that after witnessing an on-the-floor death at his first manufacturing job in 1968, he made a mental note that he never wanted that to happen on his watch.

Protecting employees’ health and safety is a goal all companies should have, said Mark Brown, deputy secretary of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet.

Brown said he brought greetings and congratulations from Gov. Steve Beshear, “who recognizes that our most important asset … is our working people.”

Brown said employers providing safe workplaces has contributed to a three-year running decline in workers’ compensation rates in the state, which in turn helps the state recruit new business and industry.

John Lippert, the state’s SHARP administrator, said while sending employees home in the condition in which they arrived is the ultimate goal in any safety program, such programs also have financial benefits.

An occupational death costs companies $1 million or more and each lost-time injury accident on average costs companies about $28,000.

“Eighty-five to 95 percent of all accidents are caused by human error,” Lippert said.

So, safety programs require a huge buy-in from employees who have to implement such plans.

Plant Director Ron Anglin agreed that such efforts couldn’t be made without the help of every employee and an agreeable corporate philosophy.

“Safety is a choice, so thanks for choosing to make this a safer place,” Anglin said to the 400 or so employees and officials who gathered.

Sun makes a variety of liquid and powder detergents and softeners, including national brands such as All, Snuggle, Sun, Wisk, Surf and Sunlight.

It just recently began construction of a line to make dryer sheets, something that will require the company to hire additional employees.

“As soon as we get that ramped up, we will be hiring some people,” Anglin said.

Anglin said typically the company works with the state Employment Office when it needs to hire employees. It also has run several classified ads this year for some of its positions.

Meanwhile, construction continues on a more than 1 million-square-foot warehouse space that is being built around the corner from its manufacturing facility on Southwood Court off Nashville Road.

Kathryn Corbally, director of corporate affairs for the company, said the project is on schedule for completion in May.

On Wednesday, concrete trucks lined the huge site, which was a beehive of activity.