09-504-PHI (osha 09-90)
June 12, 2009
Contact: Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5101

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA recognizes McConway & Torley LLC for workplace safety and health success

PITTSBURGH -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has certified McConway & Torley LLC as a new star site, the highest honor in its prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

"This company understands the importance of maintaining high employee safety and health standards at its foundry," said OSHA Deputy Regional Administrator Edward Selker, who paid tribute to the company at a special ceremony. "McConway & and Torley has demonstrated its commitment to worker safety and health by maintaining an injury and illness rate below the industry average for three years."

Expanded and modernized in the late 1990s, the 130-year-old foundry creates cast steel railroad couplings and related components. The company began operation in 1868 as the Eagle Gray Iron Foundry.

More than 2,160 worksites representing some 270 industries nationwide 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 company can apply to join the VPP. Companies in the VPP achieve average injury and illness rates 50 percent below the Bureau of Labor Statistics average for other companies in their respective industries.

OSHA has improved workplace safety and health over the past 38 years. The success is reflected in the latest data (2007) showing the lowest national injury and illness incidence rate that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has ever recorded. OSHA will continue to work diligently to focus its resources where they will have the most impact in assuring that every man and woman returns home safely every day.

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