IRVINE, Calif. — The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) Consultation Department presented Prudential Overall Supply with its “STAR Site” designation through the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) on June 12, the company reports.
Companies and jobsites that are awarded the STAR designation demonstrate exemplary and comprehensive safety and health management systems.
ADOSH held a VPP Ceremony at Prudential’s Mesa, Ariz., cleanroom laundry processing plant where the location was awarded the STAR designation and presented with the VPP plaque and flag.
During the ceremony, Brandon Stowell, compliance assistance specialist supervisor, spoke on the significance of a VPP achievement and its importance to the State of Arizona.
“This is the third time Prudential Overall Supply has been recognized with the STAR designation,” he says. “It’s so important for companies to receive this recognition because they become the model for top safety in the workplace. Prudential Overall Supply really is a STAR site when it comes to factoring in the health and safety of every employee on the team.”
VPP is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) highest program of recognition across the United States. It recognizes employers and workers in private and federal workplaces who have exemplified effective safety and health management systems. On average a VPP Star worksite has a days away restricted or transferred (DART) case rate of 52% below the average for its industry.
To qualify for VPP status, employers must submit an application to OSHA, have at least three consecutive years of incident rates below industry average and undergo an onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals.
VPP participants and sites earning the “STAR Site” designation are re-evaluated every three to five years in order to remain in the program. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status.
Currently, only 47 Arizona companies out of more than 135,000 are VPP “Stars.”
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