Region 8 News Release: 09-798-DEN
August 7, 2009
Contact: Jeremy Eggers
Phone: 303-844-1299

OSHA praises EG&G Defense Materials and Battelle Memorial Institute for excellence in workplace safety and health
Companies' safety programs at Tooele, Utah, facility earn OSHA's highest recognition

TOOELE, Utah -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has designated EG&G Defense Materials and Battelle Memorial Institute as Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) star sites, the department's highest recognition for meeting or exceeding workplace safety and health standards.

The companies, which work together at the Tooele Chemical Agent Destruction Facility, earned VPP recognition following a comprehensive onsite evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. A VPP star site must meet the safety and health program elements for the VPP program, which far exceed minimum OSHA standards.

"Recognition as an OSHA VPP star can only be achieved when employees and management work together with a keen focus on employee safety and health excellence," said Greg Baxter, OSHA's regional administrator in Denver.

Brad Baptiste, OSHA's regional VPP manager in Denver, presented representatives from each company with a VPP flag and plaque during the ceremony. "The site has a tremendous occupational health and medical program, highly trained emergency response teams and an excellent hazard reporting system. It's a really impressive workplace," said Baptiste.

The VPP offers employers an opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants who successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems.

More than 2,160 worksites nationwide, representing more than 270 industries, have earned entry into OSHA's VPP. Requirements include a high degree of management commitment and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control program; and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the VPP.

Companies in the VPP achieve average injury and illness rates 50 percent below the Bureau of Labor Statistics average for other companies in their respective industries. For more information about the VPP, call OSHA's regional VPP manager at 720-264-6555 or visit http://www.osha.gov/vpp.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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