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Koch-Glitsch, LP is a Star!
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An OSHA VPP Star Site, that is . . .
Employees at Koch-Glitsch LP’s Wichita site have been awarded Star status in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) for “sustained excellence in all areas of your [Koch-Glitsch’s] safety and health management system.” As of February 2004, Koch-Glitsch is one of only five Kansas sites to be awarded this honor, which has been achieved by fewer than one percent of worksites nationwide.
OSHA’s goal, through VPP, is to partner with management and labor for a safer and healthier work environment. VPP recognizes companies that have implemented comprehensive and effective safety and health programs that provide workplace safety and health that goes beyond OSHA’s standard requirements. Participants’ illness and injury rates must be below the industry average for at least three years to qualify for Star status. The average VPP worksite has a lost workday incidence rate 52% below the average for its industry. Koch-Glitsch’s injury rate is 76% below the average for its industry.
Before awarding VPP status, facilities are evaluated according to a rigid set of qualifications, including management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training.
In awarding Star certification to Koch-Glitsch, OSHA acknowledged the outstanding effort and commitment that KGLP’s management and employees have made to protecting the health and safety of its employees. Koch-Glitsch was recognized for five areas of excellence:
- High employee involvement
- Accident investigation and root cause
analysis
- Contractor safety and health programs
- Exemplary, multidisciplinary training
program
- Effective Lockout/Tagout program
OSHA also identified 12 best practices:
- Employee awareness of management
accountability
- Employee development of equipment operating
procedures
- Employee involvement in hazard assessments
- Thorough accident investigations
- Routine air and noise monitoring
- Employee monitoring each other’s actions
for safety
- MSDS cross-referencing system
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
assessment
- Routine monitoring of workplace physical
and chemical hazards
- Lockout/tagout program
- Safety and health training programs
- Powered hand tool program
Bob DiFulgentiz, President of Koch-Glitsch, said, “The OSHA VPP Star certification demonstrates the commitment of our management and outstanding employees to world-class safety performance. We are equally committed to providing our customers with world-class performance in quality, innovative technology, on-time delivery, and short delivery lead times.”
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