Region 3 News Release: 13-1780-PHI (osha 13-90)
Aug. 28, 2013
Contact: Joanna Hawkins Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5101 215-861-5102
Email: hawkins.joanna@dol.gov uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA certifies Croda Inc. facility in Mill Hall, Pa., as
'star' site for workplace safety and health

MILL HALL, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration recognized the employees and management of Croda Inc. for excellence concerning the company's employee safety and health program during a recent ceremony at the manufacturer's Mill Hall facility. The facility has been designated a "star," the highest honor in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.

"Croda Inc. has demonstrated an outstanding ability to implement a comprehensive safety and health management system," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's Area Office in Wilkes-Barre, who attended the ceremony. "This company is an example of an excellent workplace that values safety and health."

Croda Inc. earned VPP star recognition following a comprehensive on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. The company employs 148 workers at the facility and 10 to 15 contract employees performing various duties, including security, maintenance, capital projects and janitorial services.

The VPP recognizes 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 work sites are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status. For more information, contact OSHA's Wilkes-Barre Area Office at 570-826-6538 or visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html.

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 303-693-7838 or TTY 303-693-7755.