The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on April 9 awarded L'Oreal USA Florence, Ky., manufacturing plant the agency's highest safety and health award: a Voluntary Protection Programs' (VPP) "Star" flag.
"L'Oreal is clearly committed to protecting the safety and health of its employees and, with recognition of today's achievement, the company has
set an extraordinary example for other U.S. manufacturers," said Assistant
Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr.
Over the past six years, participation in VPP has helped L'Oreal USA reduce its rates of lost time and restricted duty accidents by more than 70%, the company said. "We put the health and safety of our employees first and have achieved VPP compliance in all of our manufacturing facilities with their active collaboration," says Vince Serpico, senior vice president, corporate manufacturing, L'Oreal USA.
The company's Florence facility joins an elite group of more than 1,700 worksites in more than 270 industries nationwide that have earned entry into OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.
OSHA's VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health performance. Requirements include a high degree of management support and employee involvement; a high quality worksite hazard analysis; prevention and control programs; 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 VPP.
Companies in VPP achieve average injury rates 50% lower than other companies in their respective industries.
