Rheem’s Air Conditioning Division, located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, earned the One Million Work Hours Safety Award from the Arkansas Department of Labor. The Rheem facility received this honor after its employees completed 1 million work hours without a lost day of work due to a work-related injury or illness between Jan. 1, 2014, and July 31, 2014.

“It’s critical our employees work in a safe, secure environment,” said Mike Branson, vice president and general manager, Rheem Air Conditioning Division, a business unit of Rheem Mfg. Co. “This award is a testament to the tremendous work that every employee does to ensure safety is our highest priority. Significant credit for this accomplishment goes to our director of operations, Brian Gahr; our safety and workers’ compensation manager, Joe Keith; the labor management committee; and the associates of United Steel Workers Local 7893. We are truly honored to receive this award.” Rheem hosted an awards presentation ceremony on Sept. 25 to commemorate the safety milestone. The ceremony coincided with Rheem’s Employee Appreciation Day, during which the company provided employees with a catered lunch and celebratory T-shirts. As a special surprise, employees were treated to a concert performed by a band of Rheem employees.