December 1, 2006—The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently highlighted five facilities that have earned membership in OSHA’s prestigious “Star” Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
The Olathe and New Century Honeywell International facilities in Missouri were commended for their “outstanding efforts,” including management commitment to safety and health and employee involvement in safety and health programs. Honeywell’s injury and illness and days away from work rates are reportedly 90 percent or better below the national average for similar facilities.
The Firestone Polymers—Lake Charles Facility in Louisiana was commended for “excellence in effective safety and health management,” including achieving an injury and illness rate that is 53 percent below the national average for the industry. The Firestone facility, which operates a polymerization process that produces 420 million pounds of synthetic rubber annually, employs some 300 workers.
The US Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center in Wichita, Kansas, was commended for exhibiting “excellence in safety and health management,” including management commitment to and employee involvement in safety and health programs. The facility employs 512 workers who process mail for distribution throughout the delivery area.
The General Electric Aviation plant in Lynn, Massachusetts, was spotlighted for the continuing commitment by GE and its workers to effective safety and health management. The plant, which produces aircraft engines and parts, employs 3,900 workers represented by three unions.
Around 1,550 workplaces nationwide have earned VPP recognition to date. VPP offers employers an opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems. OSHA says that VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry.
For more information visit OSHA’s VPP site.
