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OSHA News Release
2007 - 02/27/2007 - Dixie's Leominster, Mass. Plant Earns Prestigious Workplace Safety and Health "Star" from U.S. Labor Department's OSHA |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 07-292-BOS/ BOS 2007-049 Feb. 27, 2007 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Dixie's Leominster, Mass. Plant Earns Prestigious Workplace Safety and Health "Star" from U.S. Labor Department's OSHA
LEOMINSTER, Mass. -- Dixie Consumer Products' Leominster, Mass., manufacturing plant has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Voluntary Protection Programs recognize worksites committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards and encourage cooperative relationships among labor, management, unions and government. The Leominster plant's "Star" designation came after an OSHA team's on-site review of its application and safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite. "Our review found the Leominster plant's safety and health management system to be consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants while its illness and injury rates remain well below the industry average," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for New England. "Employees and management at this workplace have reason to be proud of their joint effort to enhance employee safety and health." The Leominster plant employs 245 people and manufactures a variety of consumer products, including plastic cutlery and drinking straws. The facility now joins an elite corps of more than 1,600 worksites in 280 industries nationwide that have earned entry into the VPP. Through the VPP, 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. VPP membership is open to deserving employers in any industry. Requirements include a high degree of management support for and employee involvement in job health and safety; 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 (DOL) 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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