Veolia ES Technical Solutions gets OSHA Merit status

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized the Veolia ES Technical Solutions worksite in Henderson, Colo., for achievement in its employee safety and health program.

The hazardous waste storage and processing facility was designated a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) "Merit" site during a ceremony June 5 at the plant. A "Merit" site maintains employee safety and health programs that far exceed minimum OSHA standards.

"The VPP award is a testament to Veolia's dedication to world-class safety and health excellence," said Greg Baxter, OSHA's regional administrator in Denver. "Accomplishing VPP recognition is tremendous and is only made possible through significant employee involvement and a dedicated management team."

Baxter and Brad Baptiste, OSHA's regional VPP manager, presented a VPP flag and plaque to the Veolia team at the ceremony.

Pointing out that Veolia's safety and health program has aspects he considers "best practices," Baptiste said, "One of the noteworthy aspects of this site's efforts includes the reduction and, in many cases, elimination of fall hazards for operators accessing elevated areas during the course of their duties."

OSHA's VPP offers employers a unique opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems. The VPP program is open to deserving employers in any industry.

Requirements for application to the VPP, which has more than 1,700 worksites nationwide, include a high degree of management support and employee involvement, a high-quality worksite hazard analysis, hazard prevention and control programs, 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 site applies to the program.