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OSHA News Release
2006 - 03/23/2006 - Central Square Post Office in Cambridge, Mass., Earns Prestigious OSHA "Star" |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-321-BOS/ BOS 2006-079 Thursday, March 23, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Central Square Post Office in Cambridge, Mass., Earns Prestigious OSHA "Star"
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The U.S. Postal Service's Central Square Post Office in Cambridge has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "Our review of Central Square's safety and health management programs found them consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. "Its illness and injury rates are well below the industry average." The Central Square Post Office, which delivers mail to the city of Cambridge, employs 185 workers. It now joins an elite corps of about 1,400 workplaces nationwide that have earned VPP recognition. The "Star" designation came after an OSHA team's thorough on-site review of the post office's application and safety and health program, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite. In qualifying for "Star" status, the facility verified that it had implemented programs and procedures beyond those required under OSHA standards and showed extensive involvement by both management and workers. Its written safety and health management system effectively addresses worksite hazards by identifying and tracking them to ensure their correction and control. Its safety and health training programs ensure that employees and contractors understand occupational hazards and how to address them. OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs offer 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. VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. The VPP programs are open to deserving employers in any industry. Requirements for application to VPP include a high degree of management support and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite hazard analysis; prevention and control programs, and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the program. Additional information is available from the VPP manager at the OSHA regional office in Boston at (617) 565-9890. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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