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OSHA News Release
2007 - 06/04/2007 - Potlatch Forest's Consumer Products Lewiston in Idaho earns 'Star' for safety and health excellence from U.S. Labor Department's OSHA |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 10 News Release: # 07-803-SEA (#07-47) June 4, 2007 Contact: Jeannine Lupton Phone: 206-553-7620 Potlatch Forest's Consumer Products Lewiston in Idaho earns 'Star' for safety and health excellence from U.S. Labor Department's OSHA
SEATTLE -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has approved Potlatch Forest Co.'s Consumer Products Lewiston in Lewiston, Idaho, for continued participation in its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) at the highest, or "Star," level. A ceremony to recognize the company's continued excellence in employee safety and health was held at a recent regional VPP Participants 13th Annual Conference in Portland, Ore. "Maintaining the demanding standards required of the VPP for almost 10 years is very impressive," said Richard Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle. "This achievement clearly reflects the company's continuing commitment to a strong safety and health program." Consumer Products Lewiston has 592 on site employees who produce facial tissue, bathroom tissue, household towels and napkins using three tissue machines that make paper from pulp. In addition, six people employed by three contractors perform heating, ventilating and air conditioning maintenance, cleaning and short distance transportation duties. Employees at the site are represented by United Steel Workers Locals 608 and 712, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 73. OSHA has granted Consumer Products Lewiston, a VPP member since September 1997, a five-year "Star" renewal designation after an on-site review of its safety and health program, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite. OSHA's VPP, an elite corps of more than 1,700 sites representing more than 270 industries nationwide, recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. To qualify for VPP status, a member site must meet or exceed all OSHA regulatory standards and submit to a review of its programs. Program participants typically achieve injury and illness rates more than 50 percent below their respective industries' averages. Through the VPP, management, labor and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at sites that have implemented strong safety and health systems. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process 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. Call (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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