Region 1 News Release: 11-977-BOS/BOS 2011-234
June 29, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA recognizes Raytheon's Cross Business
Integration Center in Billerica, Mass., for workplace safety and health

BILLERICA, Mass. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized the employees and management of Raytheon Co.'s Cross Business Integration Center for excellence in workplace safety and health. The Billerica, Mass., facility has been designated as a 'star' site, the highest honor in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.

"The VPP recognizes those work sites, such as the Cross Business Integration Center, where workers and management have established and maintained a proactive and ongoing commitment to safety and health that goes beyond simply adhering to OSHA standards," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. "Safety and health is included in the site's planning process, and effective training is provided to all site employees and outside contractors as appropriate. In the past year, the center conducted a two-day safety 'stand down' for all its employees, followed by a similar two-day meeting for environmental health and safety staff from this and other Raytheon facilities."

The Cross Business Integration Center, which houses Raytheon corporate and administrative offices, employs over 1,000 people. Jeffrey A. Erskine, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex counties in Massachusetts, presented a VPP flag and plaque to employees and managers in a ceremony held at the site.

The Voluntary Protection Programs recognize private and federal work sites with effective safety and health management systems that have maintained injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages. Management, labor and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, work site analysis and training. Union support is required for applicant work sites where employees are represented by a bargaining unit. Participating worksites are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html or contact OSHA's New England Regional Office in Boston at 617-565-9860.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.