It is the intent of the Legislature that the promotion of safety in the workplace is a legitimate public purpose. In order to establish a public employee benefit program to encourage safety in the workplace, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is hereby directed to establish an on-the-job employee safety program which encourages work unit safety and reduces lost productivity and compensation costs. In order to promote job safety in work units with exceptional safety records, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is authorized to expend from monies available in the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority General Fund so much thereof as may be necessary for the purpose of recognition awards for presentation to the members of work units or individual employees with exceptional safety records. Recognition awards shall consist of distinctive wearing apparel, service pins, U.S. Savings Bonds, or other appropriate awards, the value of which shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per employee, which recognize the safety achievement of the work unit or individual employees.
Okla. Stat. tit. 69, § 1735