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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2007 - 02/06/2007 - General Electric's Somersworth, N.H., Manufacturing Plant Continues as a Workplace Safety and Health "Star" |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 07-153-BOS/ BOS 2007-031 Feb. 6, 2007 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 General Electric's Somersworth, N.H., Manufacturing Plant Continues as a Workplace Safety and Health "Star"
U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Renews Plant's VPP Status SOMERSWORTH, N.H. -- The General Electric Company's (GE) Network Reliability Products and Services Meter Plant in Somersworth has been recertified for an additional three-year membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Somersworth plant's "Star" renewal came after an OSHA team's on-site review of its safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite. It first achieved "Star" status in April 1998 and received its first renewal in December 2001. "We're pleased that the Somersworth plant, through the ongoing joint efforts of its employees and management, will continue in the VPP," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for New England. "Our review found its safety and health management system continue to be consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants and its illness and injury rates remain below the industry average." The plant employs 214 employees and manufactures electrical meters and transformers. It is one of 1,600 worksites in 270 industries nationwide in the VPP. Other GE "Star" worksites in New Hampshire are the GE Transformer Plant in Somersworth, GE Aircraft Engines in Hooksett and GE Gypsum in Newington. The VPP recognizes worksites committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards and encourages cooperative relationships among labor, management, unions and government. Through it, employers and employees have experienced significant decreases in fatalities, injuries and illnesses; associated cost reductions including lowered workers' compensation expenses; positive changes in company culture and attitudes toward safety and health; and average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. The VPP is open to deserving employers in any industry. Requirements 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. More information is available from the VPP manager in OSHA's regional office in Boston at (617) 565-9890. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 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 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. DOL 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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