By Hillary Gavan
For StatelineBusiness

BELOIT -- Lawrence Knoll, a Fairbanks Morse machinist of 39 years, doesn't give speeches very often. But when he told his story about his commitment to safety Wednesday, the crowd was moved.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Knoll said he's learned the importance of caution. His uncle died in a farm accident and Knoll himself was kicked in the nose by a cow. When he started at Fairbanks Morse, Knoll remained vigilant about safety. He uses his grandson as motivation. Knoll hopes to have many more years to spend with him.

Those who work at Fairbanks Morse go to work with their fingers and toes and come home with them too, according to EnPro Industries CEO Ernie Schaub.

Executives of EnPro, the parent company of Fairbanks Morse, were in Beloit to award the company the President's Safety Award. A dinner was held and personal gifts were given to employees. EnPro also made a $1,000 donation to two local organizations that are involved with safety and environmental education with local school children and the public - The Stateline Area Survive Alive House and the Welty Environmental Center.

Fairbanks has accomplished a monumental feat - a record of more than seven years and more than 4.8 million hours worked without any lost time injuries. The plant hasn't had a lost time injury since December 2000.

The safety award is presented annually to EnPro businesses that meet or surpass goals for reducing injuries due to work related accidents. The measurements are based on widely used incident rates of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Safety might not sound that exciting, but it's big business when employees are working on 40-ton ship engines. Fairbanks Morse manufactures ships for the U.S. Navy as well as power and nuclear plants and aircraft carriers.

Fairbanks Union President Marshall Bown, said it's the people who make the safety initiatives happen. There is always a strong emphasis on recruiting volunteers to do safety programs.

In addition to making the company more safe, Schaub said safety means better business.

"Companies that are safer have higher productivity because they also have programs aimed an enabling employers to do better," Schaub said.

There are 300 workers at the Beloit Fairbanks Morse plant. Since the company's inception in the 1870s, Fairbanks Morse Engine has been a world wide leader in engine technology and manufacturer.