March 26, 2004—For four consecutive years, employees of Monsanto Ag of Matthews, Missouri, have worked without losing a single day to an injury or illness. To mark this achievement, the company has renewed their participation in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) prestigious “Star” Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), for which they were initially approved in August 2000. The plant employs 70 workers who are engaged in crop preparation services for market. OSHA cites the active participation of Monsanto Ag’s top level management as a key to the effectiveness of the company’s exemplary safety and health program.
There are 1,036 work sites nationwide in the VPP, representing 208 industries. Companies in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry, reduced workers’ compensation costs, improved productivity, improved employee morale, and recognition in the community. Information about the VPP program is available from OSHA or from the Voluntary Protection Program Participants’ Association in Falls Church, Virginia, at 703/761-1146.
