The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries awarded a workplace safety certification to Healthy Pet, Ferndale makers of natural pet litter, in December 2014.

Healthy Pet is one of seven companies to earn the certification, called S.T.A.R.T. (Safety Through Achieving Recognition Together) and the only one in Whatcom County.

“We are proud to achieve this recognition of outstanding accomplishment in safety, health and risk management,” Healthy Pet CEO Ted Mischaikov said in a press release. “This very important benchmark authenticates our resolve and commitment to worker safety and a healthy workplace environment.”

To participate in the S.T.A.R.T. program, a business must have a safety and health consultation with department of Labor and Industries consultants and a comprehensive review of its safety and health program, among other things, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries’ website.

Healthy Pet’s workplace safety achievements include working nearly 1,300 days without an injury that caused lost time from work, and being a member of the Department of Labor and Industries’ Blueprint for Safety pilot project for two years. The Blueprint for Safety program helps employers develop and meet safety goals.

For more information on Healthy Pet, go to www.healthy-pet.com.