Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. | A Waste Management Company

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OSHA Regional News Release
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Region 1 News Release: 06-516-BOS/ BOS 2006-084
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: (617) 565-2074

CLAREMONT, N.H. -- Wheelabrator Claremont L.P. is the latest New Hampshire worksite to earn membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The waste-to-energy generating plant, which employs 25 workers, earned its "Star" designation after an OSHA team's thorough on-site review of its application and safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite.

" Our review of Wheelabrator's safety and health management programs at this site found them consistent with the high quality expected of VPP participants," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. "With illness and injury rates well below industry averages, this facility now joins an elite corps of 1,400 workplaces nationwide that have achieved VPP status."

In qualifying for "Star" status, the plant verified that it had implemented programs and procedures beyond what OSHA standards require with extensive involvement by both management and workers. Its written safety and health management system effectively addresses worksite hazards by identifying and tracking them to ensure their correction and control. Its safety and health training programs ensure that employees and contractors understand occupational hazards and how to control them.

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs offer employers an opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems. VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. The program is open to deserving employers in any industry.

Requirements for application to VPP 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 the program. Additional information is available from the VPP manager at the OSHA regional office in Boston at (617) 565-9890.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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