Occidental Chemical plant retains OSHA Star status

Occidental Chemical Corp. Ingleside Plant in Gregory, Texas, has earned recertification in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A recognition ceremony was held October 9 at the company's facility on state Highway 361 in Gregory.

"Occidental Chemical Corp. Ingleside Plant has continued to demonstrate excellence in effective safety and health management by achieving VPP ‘Star' status for 15 years," said Frank Strasheim, acting OSHA regional administrator in Dallas. "The company's outstanding effort includes maintaining an injury and illness rate 96 percent below the national average for their industry."

The Ingleside plant employs approximately 222 workers, with an additional 150 contract workers on-site. The company manufactures chlorine, sodium hydroxide, vinyl chloride monomer and hydrogen. In addition, the site has a co-generation facility that generates electricity to meet its electrical-power needs. Occidental Chemical Corp. Ingleside Plant is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum Corp.

The VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. About 1,400 workplaces throughout the U.S., representing 280 industries, have earned OSHA's highest recognition as participants in the program. Participants typically achieve injury and illness rates lower than average for their respective industry.