Bayer MaterialScience West Virginia Plant Receives Highest OSHA Safety Recognition
New Martinsville, W. VA - Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Bayer Corporation, Bayer MaterialScience LLC and the State of West Virginia were on hand today as Bayer MaterialScience's New Martinsville, W.Va., plant received VPP (Voluntary Protection Programs) Star status. Officials from OSHA presented the recognition, which honors Bayer for addressing effective worksite-based safety and health issues. The ceremony, held at the 500-plus employee plant, included remarks from each organization, presentation of the Star status, raising of the OSHA flag on-site, and delivery of a proclamation from the Governor of West Virginia declaring July 26 as "Bayer New Martinsville Day" in the state.
"Plant safety plays a critical role in Bayer's commitment to society and the environment," said Bayer Corporation President and CEO Dr. Attila Molnar. "Receiving the VPP Star status indicates a close partnership with OSHA in protecting employees and the communities around this site."
Bayer MaterialScience LLC President and CEO Greg Babe acknowledged New Martinsville employees for their ongoing focus on safety. "By earning this award, the hard-working employees here have raised the bar on safety for the entire industry," said Babe. "Other plastic and resin production sites will look to this facility as a model of excellence."
The plant received accolades for its three-year Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) of 1.0 and for its Days Away From Work, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) case rate of 0.4. The three-year TCIR is 71 percent below the latest published 2004 industry averages for NAICS 325211, which covers plastic material and resin manufacturers, while the DART is approximately 75 percent below industry averages.
The Bayer MaterialScience New Martinsville plant sits on the banks of the Ohio River and is located approximately five miles north of New Martinsville and approximately 100 miles north of Charleston. The plant produces polyurethane intermediates used in the production of a variety of industrial and consumer product markets, such as automotive, furniture, industrial coatings and adhesives.
The Bayer New Martinsville safety and health program is focused on utilizing the practices that best safeguard employees from plastic and resin manufacturing industry hazards. The OSHA VPP team examined four key program criteria and their sub elements as they are implemented at the plant. The four program categories were: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement in the Safety and Health Program, Worksite Hazard Analysis, Hazard Prevention and Control, and Safety and Health Training. With this award, Bayer now has three VPP-rated Star status facilities. They are located in New Martinsville and South Charleston, W.Va., and Baytown, Texas. The West Virginia facilities represent two of less than 20 VPP facilities in the state.
Created in 1982, OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs recognize and partner with businesses and worksites that show excellence in occupational safety and health. VPP participants develop and implement systems to effectively identify, evaluate, prevent, and control occupational hazards to prevent employee injuries and illnesses.
The OSHA recognition is the result of a total team effort, according to Jim Covington, General Plant Manager for the New Martinsville site. "Plant safety involves everyone, from maintenance to production to management," he said. "It's fantastic when everyone you work with is dedicated to practicing everyday procedures that are beneficial to the health of fellow employees and the community. Receiving this award is proof of that commitment here at Bayer's New Martinsville site."
SOURCE: Bayer MaterialScience LLC