Region 1 News Release: 09-86-BOS/BOS 2009-111
Fri., April 24, 2009
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074

Nottingham, N.H., post office is 2nd Granite State postal facility to enter Voluntary Protection Programs of U.S. Labor Department's OSHA
Facility reflects 0 recorded injuries and illnesses for more than 3 years

NOTTINGHAM, N.H. - The U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) Nottingham post office is the latest postal service worksite in New England to achieve star status in the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The star designation came after an OSHA team's three-day onsite review found its safety and health programs consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants. The VPP recognizes worksites that are committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards and encourages cooperative relationships among labor, management, unions and government. The VPP star is the highest level of VPP recognition that OSHA awards.

"While VPP worksites achieve injury and illness rates below their industry average, the Nottingham post office has had no recorded injuries or illnesses for more than three years," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. "That is eloquent testimony to the proactive, comprehensive and mutual commitment of employees and management to minimize work-related hazards and maximize workplace safety and health."

The Nottingham post office employs eight workers represented by the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and the American Postal Workers Union. Among its areas of excellence is a redesign of the facility's workroom floor plan by employees and the postal district's planner to reduce employees' exposure to slip and trip hazards and to strains while carrying packages.

This post office joins more than 2,160 worksites in more than 270 industries nationwide that have earned entry into OSHA's VPP. Requirements include a high degree of management commitment and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control program; 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 worksite can apply to join the VPP.

Sixteen other USPS facilities in New England, including the Goffstown, N.H., post office, also have earned entry into the VPP. More information about the VPP is available from OSHA's Boston Regional Office at 617-565-9890 or online at www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote 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.

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