New England power plant renews OSHA 'Star' status

RP news wires, Noria Corporation
Tags: workplace safety

The Tiverton Power electric generation plant in Tiverton, R.I., has been recertified for an additional five-year membership at the "Star," or highest, level of the prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The Tiverton plant, which has 18 employees, first achieved Star status in May 2005. Its renewal came after an OSHA team's onsite review, which included interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite, found the facility's safety and health programs consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants.

"Employees and management at Tiverton Power are to be congratulated on their effective and ongoing commitment to workplace safety and health," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for
New England. "In addition to a high-quality safety and health program that actively utilizes employee training, their joint efforts have resulted in no recordable injuries or illnesses at the plant in more than three years."

Tiverton Power is one of more than 1,920 worksites in 270 industries nationwide that have earned entry into the VPP, including three others in
Rhode Island: the Pawtucket Post Office; WJAR -TV 10, Cranston; and Modine Manufacturing, West Kingston.

The VPP is open to deserving employers in any industry. 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.