August 2, 2006—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently spotlighted several companies who earned a new or continuing “Star” in its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) in recent weeks.
Ticona Polymers Inc. in Bishop, Texas, earned recertification for an additional five years at the Star level. The technical polymers business of Dallas’ Celanese Corp., Ticona employs about 350 workers, with an additional 250 contract workers on-site. The company manufactures formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, ibuprofen, polyols, and celon. According to OSHA, they have maintained an injury and illness rate that is 52 percent below the national industry average. This is the sixth year the company has participated in OSHA’s VPP program.
Mundy Maintenance of Bishop, Texas, was also recertified at the Star level. Mundy provides maintenance and capital project support for Ticona Polymers. The company employs about 250 workers at the Bishop site.
The company has also participated in OSHA’s VPP program for six years.
Wheelabrator’s Hudson Falls, New York, waste-to-energy plant was also recertified at the Star level. OSHA noted that the plant’s injury and illness rates remain below the industry average, and praised its extensive employee involvement in both the plant’s safety committee and employee safety and health training. This includes employees performing routine safety inspections, raising and addressing safety issues and concerns, reviewing site procedures, and conducting much of the plant’s safety training. The plant, with 35 employees, was first certified as a “Star” site in 1997.
Safety Instrumentation, Inc., doing business as Fite Fire & Safety in Midland, Texas, earned membership in the “Star” program. OSHA cited the company’s “outstanding effort” for the last three years in safety and health management, which includes maintaining an injury and illness rate that is 100 percent below the national average for their industry. Fite Fire & Safety, which employs about 10 workers in Midland, is a wholesale company that provides safety equipment to its customers, and company officials perform inspections, maintenance, and equipment repair to oil refineries in western Texas and New Mexico.
The VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. For more information and recent updates to the program visit OSHA’s VPP page.
