One Team, One Mission, One Star.
Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) banners have been hanging at the Pueblo plant since Star Status was first received in 2009, but that status has to be proven on a regular basis. Nearly a year ago, the plant re-applied for the prestigious ranking with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
In November 2014, a week-long audit consisting of informal and formal interviews of subject matter experts and randomly selected employees at all levels, on both day and night shifts was conducted. By week’s end, PCAPP was recommended for Star Status, and will officially receive the award in April 2015.
“We are extremely pleased with this worksite,” said Brad Baptiste, a 24-year OSHA manager, who briefed employees of the audit team’s findings.
PCAPP was evaluated on four major elements, including
1) Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
2) Work Site Analysis
3) Hazard Prevention and Control
4) Safety and Health Training
The OSHA team gave kudos for a clean worksite; the Brother’s Keeper program; employee communication, including starting each meeting with a safety share; and employees’ willingness to pause/stop work to prevent potential hazards from occurring. “The most important thing we’re pleased about is your culture of stop work,” Baptiste continued.
“Auditors were also pleased with the project’s implementation of the VPP roadmap,” said Shelly Ettel, condition reporting administrator. The Roadmap Safety Program was designed to educate the workforce about PCAPP programs and policies, and to prepare for the audit, with the goal of creating a work environment free from injury and illness.
“Only 0.03 percent of American workplaces are VPP sites,” Baptiste added.
