Momentive Performance Materials, a global leader in specialty chemicals and materials, announced October 12 that its manufacturing facility in Friendly, W.Va., has been nationally recognized for excellence in occupational safety and health as a Star site through the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The VPP Star program honors exemplary worksites that have established comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems. Worksites achieving Star status also maintain injury and illness rates at or below the national average for their industry and are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards.
“We are proud of this accomplishment and what it says about our work environment,” said John Robison, plant manager of Momentive’s Friendly facility. “At Momentive, we believe that a culture which promotes both safety and productivity is a winning one.”
The rigorous qualification process for VPP Star designation included a comprehensive audit of the Friendly facility in safety, health, training and operational programs. OSHA also conducted on-site, in-depth employee interviews, a walk-through of the facility to determine hazards and precautions, and a thorough review of records, logs and inspection history.
“Employee participation, supported by management leadership, is essential to the success of our safety program,” Mark Leskowicz, environmental health and safety manager at the site. “Employees are encouraged to identify potential safety improvements and help develop solutions.”
Momentive will hold a VPP flag-raising ceremony on Friday, October 15 at the site to commemorate this achievement.
