Austin, TX – The Division of Workers’ Compensation recently recognized East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind for exemplary workplace safety programs and low rates of work-related injuries and illnesses at its Tyler facility. Karen Puckett, Director of Workplace Safety, presented the company with the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s (DWC) Lone Star Safety Program Award, a state designation for Texas employers with excellent safety programs that can serve as models for other employers.

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) organization, has 87 employees. The organization serves the needs of people who are blind and visually impaired. As a first-time recipient of this award, East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has created an outstanding safety culture that fosters high-quality and active participation in its safety programs at all levels. The Lighthouse is recognized for its strong safety management system, effective site engineering to facilitate safety, and excellent employee safety training.

East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is a third-term participant in DWC’s Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program and was recently awarded its first Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation by DWC and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). SHARP recipients are exempt from certain OSHA inspections.

DWC provides safety and health services to help Texas employers provide safe and healthy workplaces, including free safety training DVD loans, safety and health publications, regional and customized onsite safety training, and a Safety Violations Hotline. For more information on these services, and for eligibility criteria for the SHARP and the Lone Star Safety Program awards, visit the Texas Department of Insurance website at or call 800-252-7031, option 2.

Source: TDI-DWC, WorkCompWire