Houston Facilities Receive VPP Star Recertification

United Space Alliance’s ongoing quest to ensure effective worksite safety and health initiatives proved successful with the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star recertification of five USA Houston locations.

In October, after a new compressed approval process, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) completed its VPP evaluation and recommended that all five USA facilities in Region VI, comprised of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, continue in the VPP Star Program.

“This recertification is a true testament to USA’s commitment to outstanding work practices,” said Dee Haney, USA’s Emergency Management Coordinator. “We are going above and beyond compliance to create a safe and healthful work environment.”

During the audit, a team comprised of special government employees and OSHA representatives inspected USA facilities, interacted with employees and evaluated processes. The special government employees are volunteers from VPP sites who help with the audit.

There were no 90-day findings or recommendations for improvement, and USA received positive feedback. The OSHA team cited seven “Best Practices” that included an ergonomic microscope with a screen to reduce eye fatigue, adjustable head to reduce bending and 3-D imaging to improve hand-eye coordination; a tool card that governs power hand tool safety guidelines and ensures the tools are in a safe operating condition; the implementation of the 5S process, which is designed to help create a neat, safe working environment by encourag ing cleaning and organization; and USA’s Injury Case Management Program.

“Participation in the Voluntary Protection Program has been a key factor in the development of the special safety culture that we have here at USA,” said Chuck Gibson, USA’s Environmental Safety and Health Manager.

USA ’s Logistics Support Facility was certified as a VPP Star site in December 1997 and was the first USA site to achieve this accomplishment. Since that time, all USA sites in Texas, Florida and Alabama have been admitted to the VPP Program. VPP Star participants are re-evaluated and recertified every three to four years.

Created in 1982, OSHA’s VPP recognizes and partners with businesses and worksites that show excellence in occupational safety and health. The VPP Star Program is designed for exemplary worksites with comprehensive safety and health management systems. Companies in the Star Program have achieved injury and illness rates at or below the national average of their respective industries. These sites are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards.

“This is a great accomplishment for USA,” Haney said. “It illustrates our employees’ involvement and management’s dedication to making our facilities and processes a benchmark for the industry.”

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