Department of Labor Seal photos representing the workforce - digital imagery? copyright 2001 photodisc, inc.
Department of Labor Seal www.osha.gov  [skip navigational links] Search    Advanced Search | A-Z Index
OSHA News Release
2005 - 12/13/2005 - Woodstock, Conn., Foam Manufacturer Earns Prestigious OSHA "Star"

OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA News Release - Table of Contents
Trade News Release Banner Image


Region 1 News Release: 05-2293-BOS/BOS 2005-349
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: (617) 565-2074


Woodstock, Conn., Foam Manufacturer Earns Prestigious OSHA "Star"

WOODSTOCK, Conn. -- Rogers Corporation High Performance Foams - Poron of Woodstock 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 this facility's safety and health management programs found them consistent with the high quality of VPP programs," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. "The plant's illness and injury rates are well below the average industry rates for foam products manufacturing."

The plant, which manufactures specialty foam products for the electronics and footwear industries, employs 150 workers. It joins an elite corps of about 1,370 workplaces nationwide that have earned VPP recognition. The "Star" designation came after an OSHA team's thorough on-site review of the plant's application and safety and health program, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite.

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.


OSHA News Release - Table of Contents OSHA News Release - Table of Contents



Back to Top Back to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.gov

Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210