MSA announced June 5 that its Cranberry, Pa., manufacturing plant has been designated a national "VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) Star Site" by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Fewer than 85 workplaces in Pennsylvania and less than 1,450 workplaces across the U.S. have earned this distinction since the VPP Program was created in 1982. Broad in scope, the voluntary program encourages and recognizes excellence in workplace health and safety. At a special event celebrating this achievement, a commemorative plaque and flag were presented to the MSA Cranberry employees by Robert Szymanski, area director for the Pittsburgh Area Office of OSHA.
"Achieving VPP Star status requires tremendous effort and dedication on many fronts, and our associates accepted this challenge," said Bill Lambert, MSA president and chief executive officer. "The culture of MSA and the attitude of our employees are built upon having a passion for safety, and I am very proud that MSA Cranberry now joins a very elite group of companies that have earned this noteworthy distinction."
MSA's Cranberry facility is actually the second MSA plant to earn the OSHA award. In 2006, MSA Murrysville attained VPP Star Status. Star Site certification distinguishes facilities that have safety programs actively driven by employees, have injury and illness rates at or below national averages and are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards.
In particular, the Cranberry plant was recognized for several noteworthy achievements, including:
· maintaining an accident rate 56 percent below the industry average for the last three years;
· achieving a Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) 51 percent below 2005 averages;
· having 52 percent less than the industry average of cases with days away from work, restricted activity or job transfer; and
· participation on designated safety teams by more than 50 percent of all employees.
For more than 25 years, MSA Cranberry has played a critical role in the company's North American success. The facility serves as MSA's primary North American manufacturing site for portable and permanent gas detection instruments, thermal imaging cameras, chemical detection instruments, sensors, printed circuit boards, self-contained breathing apparatus accessories, integrated communication headsets for the military and custom application systems.
Staffed by more than 450 MSA associates, the company's Cranberry plant develops and utilizes many proprietary processing technologies that are central to the production of many MSA products.
Opting to make VPP certification a priority two years ago as a continuous improvement initiative, MSA Cranberry established a goal of exceeding OSHA's VPP requirements.
"Our associates not only work to protect our customers, they work hard to ensure a safe working environment," Lambert said. "The fact is fewer injuries and illnesses in the workplace equates to greater efficiency, quality and profitability for our company and the products we produce. MSA becomes more competitive as workers' compensation premiums and other costs associated with injuries and illnesses plummet. Simply put, as safety improves, everyone wins – our employees, our customers, and our shareholders. All of us at MSA are very proud of our Cranberry team and this recognition by OSHA as a VPP Star Status site."
About MSA
Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety products that protect people's health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of approximately $1 billion, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 40 international locations.