Auditors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs arrived at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Feb. 20 to reevaluate the plant for OSHA’s highest recognition for safety practices in the workplace.

“We are recommended for recertification pending the completion of action items,” said Shelly Ettel, VPP lead coordinator, PCAPP. “VPP sets the bar and to maintain Star Status we have to show continuous improvement.”

While the evaluators determined several areas of excellence, including training programs, emergency drills and stop work authority, they also made recommendations for improvement. Nine action items, including arc flash labeling, power tool maintenance and warehouse storage, were advised. Ettel said the plant has 90 days to complete the action items, which will be tracked through the plant’s condition reporting process

“We have not reached our full potential of excellence,” said Ettel. “Being part of an elite group is hard work and we need to keep working to continuously improve.”

In 2009, while under construction, the project received Star Status. In 2011, PCAPP received recertification for construction, and in 2015, VPP Star Status was achieved for systemization and operations, the same classification for which the plant was evaluated last month.