Avery in the News

James Avery wins Texas insurance peer safety

July 4, 2009
by Tim Sampson
The Daily Times

For the second year, a local business has been recognized by the state for outstanding workplace safety.

James Avery Craftsman, a jewelry manufacturer and retailer headquartered in Kerrville, received the Peer Review Safety Award by the Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers Compensation.

"It's extremely gratifying — when you make safety such an integral part of what your company does — to be recognized in this way," said Keith Jones, director of environment, health and safety for James Avery.

This is the second time the company has won the award, which was presented at the 13th Annual Safety and Health Conference in Austin in May.

Several other companies also were recognized, but with 1,500 employees, five manufacturing locations and 50 retail stores, James Avery was the largest company to receive the award.

This makes the award more significant, Jones said, because the safety philosophy at James Avery requires all employees to take safety procedures to heart.

"My job title makes me the one in charge of coordinating safety, but really this honor was earned by every single employee," he said.

The hallmarks of James Avery’s safety policies are rigorous training sessions that exceed state requirements and a focus on involving all employees in the inspection and reporting process.

"What we look for, and what this company demonstrates, is a management dedicated to employee safety across the board," said John Greeley, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Insurance.