CONTACT:
Sandy Romero
(719) 289-1888
U.S. ARMY PUEBLO CHEMICAL DEPOT, Colo. – Today the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) project received one of the highest recognitions for safety practices—Star Status—in the U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
More than 800 employees, government officials and invited guests attended today’s recognition event, which took place at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot. OSHA Regional Manager Brad Baptiste travelled from Denver to Pueblo to present prestigious VPP flags to each of the subcontractors that make up the Bechtel Pueblo Team (BPT), the systems contractor for the PCAPP project: Rick Holmes (Bechtel); Steve Warren (AECOM); George Lecakes (Battelle) and Drew Reeves (GP Strategies) accepted the flags on behalf of their companies.
PCAPP/BPT Project Manager Rick Holmes acknowledged the work and the effort put forth by the workforce in achieving Star Status. “I’m proud of us for earning Star Status,” he said. “We did it as PCAPP. That is the way this job gets done—together.”
VPP star status recognizes safety practices by the workforce for the systemization and operations phase of the project. In 2009, the PCAPP project was awarded VPP Star Status for construction.
Baptiste told the crowd that achieving Star Status is no small feat and everyone should be proud of the commitment PCAPP workers have made to safety. He commended the workforce and the management team for their partnership in working together to create one of the safest work places in the nation.
“It’s no coincidence we selected this day, April 28, to recognize all of you for your excellence in safety and health,” said Baptiste. “OSHA was officially formed on April 28, 1971.”
PCAPP Site Project Manager Greg Mohrman asked the workforce to take the principles that have been learned in regards to safety and teach your families. “It will pay dividends,” Mohrman added.
“It’s incredible to come to the PCAPP site as an outsider,” added Baptiste. “I can’t be more proud of what’s going on here.”
