Simmons Bedding Company in Sumner is the recipient of an award for its strong record of safety and health.

The Occupational Safety and Health Aministration gave the company a STAR certification, which it bestows on work sites with the highest level of safety and health records.

A STAR rating is awarded to businesses participating in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program, in which companies work in concert with government, industry and labor and reduce accidents and employee ailments.

The Voluntary Protection Program began in 1982 as a way to promote safety and health by recognizing companies and work sites with exceptional safety and health management systems.

Work sites participating in the program are reviewed for their effectiveness in safety and work closely with OSHA to ensure a safe environment for employees.

“The two key best practices we were recognized for as part of our STAR certification process were employee involvement and our response to safety and health issues,” said Robert Gray, human resources manager at Simmons.