The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Department Presents Raytheon Missile Systems Airport Site in Tucson with VPP Designation
(Tucson, Ariz. – Dec. 9, 2015) –On Wednesday, Nov 11, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) Consultation Department presented Raytheon Missile Systems airport site as a “STAR Site” through the Voluntary Protection Program, “VPP.” Companies and jobsites that are awarded the STAR designation demonstrate exemplary and comprehensive safety and health management systems.
ADOSH held a VPP Ceremony, where Raytheon Missile Systems was presented with the STAR designation certification and be presented with the VPP plaque and flag. During the ceremony, Jessie Atencio, assistant director and consultation and training program manager at ADOSH spoke on the significance of a VPP achievement and its importance to the State of Arizona.
“Raytheon Missile Systems has created an environment that is truly dedicated to safety through its airport site,” said Atencio. “It’s exceptional to see the site earn this designation and the team here is an excellent example of a safe working environment.”
VPP is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) highest program of recognition across the United States. It recognizes employers and workers in private and federal workplaces who have exemplified effective safety and health management systems to achieve injury and illness rates that are more than 50 percent below the national average.
“Participation in the Voluntary Protection Program has strengthened our organizational culture around safety,” said Hyte Johnson, EHSS director at Raytheon Missile Systems. “VPP fosters employee engagement at all levels and reinforces that all employees have a role to play in workplace safety. We are proud members of the Voluntary Protection Program!”
To qualify for VPP status, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo an onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. VPP participants and sites earning the “STAR Site” designation are re-evaluated every three to five years in order to remain in the program. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status.
Currently, only 38 Arizona companies out of more than 135,000 are VPP “Stars.” To qualify for VPP status, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo an onsite evaluation. VPP participants and sites earning the STAR Site designation are re-evaluated every three to five years.
About ADOSH
Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) operates under an approved plan with the U.S. Department of Labor to retain jurisdiction over occupational safety and health issues within Arizona, excluding mining operations, Indian Reservations, and federal employees. This jurisdiction encompasses approximately 2.1 million employees and 130,000 public and private establishments. For more information on ADOSH, Consultation Partnership Programs and the Industrial Commission of Arizona, please visit http://www.ica.state.az.us/ or call (602) 542-5795.
