KIRKLAND, Wash., June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Evergreen Safety Council (ESC) is proud to recognize Continental Mills, Inc. as the 2015 recipient of the John D. Spellman Safety Award.  The award will be presented to Continental Mills on June 24th, 2016.

The annual John D. Spellman Safety Award was created in 2006 to recognize ESC member organizations and individuals that have demonstrated outstanding safety achievements or have shown they are actively pursuing and reinforcing a positive safety culture in their workplace.  The award also recognizes one of Washington's great public servants, Governor John D. Spellman. King County's first elected County Executive and Washington's 18th Governor, Governor Spellman has also been a member of ESC's Board of Directors for more than 35 years.  He served as President/Executive Director during ESC's critical restructuring in 1989 and has served as Chairman of the Board since 1998.

Continental Mills, a manufacturer of premium dry-mix baked goods led by their Krusteaz® brand pancake, muffin, and cookie mixes, as well as their Ghirardelli® brownie mix, operates four manufacturing and distribution centers with corporate offices in Tukwila, WA.

Continental Mills, Inc was chosen for the award because over the past eight years they achieved an 87% reduction in injury incident rates.  Though they started with an incident rate that was already well below the national average, further decreases since 2014 have moved them to a "Best in Class" ranking in their industry.

Continental Mills employed a company-wide strategy led by Bob Toohey, CSP, Senior Manager of EHS, to improve their safety systems including:

• a goal of 100% employee involvement with program ownership by operations leaders,
• use of internal safety systems audits for continuing improvement, and
• establishing a "Risk Predictions" model and campaign for employee use on multiple levels in planning safe daily work.

John Heily, CEO & Chairman of the Board at Continental Mills stated, "We are very proud of the recognition we have received from the Evergreen Safety Council for promoting a culture of safety in the workplace.  This recognition truly belongs to the 800 Continental Mills employees that make a safe workplace environment a reality.  We will continue to invest, collaborate, train, and listen to our workforce, and strive to achieve our preferred future which is having an accident free environment."

About Continental Mills, Inc.

Continental Mills, Inc. began operating in 1932 and is family-owned.  CM produces over 500 products under several breakfast, baking, and snack brands.  Under the portfolio of breakfast and baking is their flagship brand Krusteaz®, as well as Kretschmer® Wheat Germ, Albers® Cornmeal and Grits, Alpine® Cider and several licensed product extensions. Under the snacking portfolio is their WildRoots® Trail Mixes sold in Club stores, and new Buck Wild™ Snacks.  Continental Mills headquarters is located in Tukwila, WA and employs 800 people between the Corporate office and four manufacturing facilities in Washington, Kentucky, Illinois and Kansas.  CM products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States.

About Evergreen Safety Council: Established in 1932, Evergreen Safety Council (ESC) has been providing safety training, consulting, and resources to organizations and individuals throughout the Pacific Northwest for more than 80 years.  ESC is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3), non-governmental organization based in Kirkland Washington.  ESC is a member of the National Safety Council and a founding member of the American Association of Safety Councils.

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SOURCE Continental Mills, Inc.