Region 3 News Release: 11-1714-PHI (osha 11-158)
Dec. 14, 2011
Contact: Joanna Hawkins Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: hawkins.joanna@dol.gov uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA recognizes Papetti's Hygrade Egg Products
in Pennsylvania for exceptional workplace safety and health

KLINGERSTOWN, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized the employees and management of Papetti's Hygrade Egg Products Inc. for demonstrating excellence in the company's safety and health program. The Papetti's Klingerstown plant has been designated as a "star" site, the highest honor in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.

"This company's dedication to ensuring a safe workplace for its employees makes it most deserving of this honor," said Mark Stelmack, OSHA's area director in Wilkes Barre, who attended yesterday's ceremony at the Klingerstown facility and presented the company with a plaque and flag.

Papetti Hygrade Egg Products Inc., a subsidiary of Michael Foods Inc., manufactures frozen egg products at the Klingerstown plant.

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 work sites are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status. For more information, 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 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.