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OSHA News Release -
Boston
Region
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 1 News Release: 08-233-BOS/BOS 2008-165
Fri., June 6, 2008
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
ANDOVER, Mass. - Wyeth Biotech, Andover-Wilmington, Mass., has become the first biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research facility in New England to be accepted into the prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA officials presented employees and management with the VPP flag in a ceremony held today in Andover.
Wyeth's Andover research, development and manufacturing campus and its Wilmington administrative offices have been approved for three years of participation in the VPP at the "star," or highest achievement, level. The VPP recognizes worksites that are committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards and encourages cooperative relationships among labor, management, unions and government.
"Biotech is a growing industry, and it's encouraging that Wyeth is at the forefront of employee safety and health, with employees and management working together on behalf of more than 1,800 employees in Andover and Wilmington," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for New England, who is based in Boston.
Wyeth's acceptance into the VPP followed an OSHA team's week-long onsite review. The team found that the facilities' safety and health programs were consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants, and their injury and illness rates were well below the industry average.
Among the areas of excellence identified during OSHA's review was extensive use of process hazard analysis to identify and address risks associated with new or existing processes and equipment.
"The facilities' voluntary use of process hazard analysis adds an extra layer of protection for employees," said Kent. "Analyzing, anticipating, identifying and eliminating potential hazards can prevent needless injuries and illnesses, and their associated human and financial costs."
Through the VPP, employers and employees have experienced significant decreases in fatalities, injuries and illnesses; associated cost reductions including lowered workers' compensation expenses; positive changes in company culture and attitudes toward safety and health; and average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their respective industries.
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 assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Fri., June 6, 2008
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
Wyeth Biotech is first New England biopharmaceutical plant to enter prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs of U.S. Labor Department's OSHA
ANDOVER, Mass. - Wyeth Biotech, Andover-Wilmington, Mass., has become the first biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research facility in New England to be accepted into the prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA officials presented employees and management with the VPP flag in a ceremony held today in Andover.
Wyeth's Andover research, development and manufacturing campus and its Wilmington administrative offices have been approved for three years of participation in the VPP at the "star," or highest achievement, level. The VPP recognizes worksites that are committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards and encourages cooperative relationships among labor, management, unions and government.
"Biotech is a growing industry, and it's encouraging that Wyeth is at the forefront of employee safety and health, with employees and management working together on behalf of more than 1,800 employees in Andover and Wilmington," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for New England, who is based in Boston.
Wyeth's acceptance into the VPP followed an OSHA team's week-long onsite review. The team found that the facilities' safety and health programs were consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants, and their injury and illness rates were well below the industry average.
Among the areas of excellence identified during OSHA's review was extensive use of process hazard analysis to identify and address risks associated with new or existing processes and equipment.
"The facilities' voluntary use of process hazard analysis adds an extra layer of protection for employees," said Kent. "Analyzing, anticipating, identifying and eliminating potential hazards can prevent needless injuries and illnesses, and their associated human and financial costs."
Through the VPP, employers and employees have experienced significant decreases in fatalities, injuries and illnesses; associated cost reductions including lowered workers' compensation expenses; positive changes in company culture and attitudes toward safety and health; and average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their respective industries.
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 assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.