Journagan Construction, Magruder Limestone honored for safety efforts

Journagan Construction received MLPA’s Hillenkamp-Rush Meritorious Safety Award, which is given to only one company in Missouri each year and is based on the company’s safety record. John View, vice president at Journagan, is pictured at left with the award alongside Ash Grove Aggregates’ Keith Stevens, who serves as MLPA board president. Photo courtesy of MLPA

The Missouri Limestone Producers Association (MLPA) recognized several aggregate producers across the state for their 2018 safety efforts during its 75th Annual Convention, including a pair of producers that earned multiple honors.

Journagan Construction was honored for its safety efforts at multiple locations throughout southwest Missouri while Magruder Limestone was honored for its safety work at multiple locations throughout northeast Missouri.

Journagan Construction

Two Journagan quarries received awards, including Hollister Quarry and Ozark Quarry. Hollister Quarry had no lost time in 2018 and has gone 10 straight years without a lost-time incident and 100,000 hours without an incident. Ozark Quarry, meanwhile, experienced no lost time in 2018 and has gone 14 straight years without a lost-time incident.

“Each year the MLPA recognizes Missouri mines for their accomplishments in safety and ensuring worker safety and health through the Safety Awards Program,” says Morgan Mundell, MLPA executive manager. “Journagan Construction and the employees of their aggregate division have demonstrated a strong commitment to safety over the years and their record shows it.”

In addition, MLPA recognized Journagan for having the best 2018 safety record in Missouri in its medium-size company category. For its efforts, Journagan Construction received the Hillenkamp-Rush Meritorious Safety Award, which is given to only one company in Missouri each year and is based on the company’s safety record.

“It’s about making sure our employees go home to their families safe, every shift, every day,” says Allen Journagan, Journagan president. “When our people identify a hazard, they know they are to stop work, address it immediately and take action to remove the hazard before work resumes.”

Magruder Limestone

Several Magruder Limestone quarries received safety awards at MLPA’s Annual Convention, including Foley Quarry, Troy Quarry, Shelbina Quarry and Ozark Quarry and Portable Plants 1 and 2. Pictured from left are Lawrence Sherrill, field supervisor at the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), MLPA board president Keith Stevens of Ash Grove Aggregates, MSHA field supervisor Robert Seelke, and Magruder Limestone’s Melany Mathis. Photo courtesy of MLPA

Several Magruder Limestone quarries also received safety awards at MLPA’s Annual Convention, including Foley Quarry, Troy Quarry, Shelbina Quarry and Ozark Quarry and Portable Plants 1 and 2.

According to MLPA, Foley Quarry had no lost time in 2018. It has now gone nine straight years without a lost-time incident and 100,000 hours without an incident. Troy Quarry also had no lost time in 2018 and has gone five consecutive years and 200,000 hours without a lost-time incident.

Magruder Limestone’s Shelbina Quarry experienced no lost time in 2018, as well, and it has gone five years without a lost-time incident. The company’s Ozark Quarry and Portable Plants 1 and 2, meanwhile, had no lost time in 2018.

“Safety of our employees is our number one priority,” says Mark Magruder, Magruder Limestone president. “Our employees and management do an excellent job of ensuring everyone stays safe.  These awards demonstrate that.”

About the safety awards

MLPA solicits applications for its program every year, and awards are distributed at the association’s convention following an MLPA Safety Committee review. The safety awards program recognizes performance measured in days of no lost-time accidents, consecutive years without an accident, and multiples of 100,000 hours without a lost-time accident.