Entergy Transmission and Substations, Louisiana Grid, in Destrehan, La., has earned membership in the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the Star, or highest, level for achieving three years of excellence in employee health and safety.
"The Entergy Transmission and Substation in Destrehan has demonstrated excellence in effective safety and health management," said Dean W. McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "The company's outstanding efforts at this site include maintaining an injury and illness rate that is 75 percent below the national average for its industry."
Bruce Stark, VPP coordinator in OSHA's Baton Rouge, La., area office, attended a recognition ceremony at the company's facility on Alpha Boulevard in Destrehan.
Entergy Transmission and Substations workers at the Destrehan Office Site strive to ensure that the local transmission and distribution system for electricity delivers safe, reliable power to its customers. The site has about 25 skilled workers that repair and maintain about 99 electrical substations located throughout the facilities network.
More than 2,160 worksites representing about 270 industries nationwide 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.
