OSHA Visits ABB New Berlin to Present VPP Star Award
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"Star" status is the highest achievement possible In OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program
NEW BERLIN, WI, December 19, 2007. Three (3) representatives from OSHA visited New Berlin today to present ABB, in person, with the VPP Star Award - an award given to only 2000 out of seven (7) million companies worldwide. The ABB New Berlin site is now the only ABB location globally to have achieved this status!
On February 28, the campus first received official word from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Association) that, as a participant in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), ABB had earned "Star" status. It is the highest honor the program can award a facility's employees.
The presenters noted at the morning ceremony, attended by nearly 300 New Berlin-based employees, that "this is our opportunity to commend businesses dedicated to being proactive, rather than reactive in pursuit of optimal safety." They also noted that ABB demonstrates how a company can continue to be profitable, while remaining deeply committed to excellence in safety for employees.
Takes and Took All of Us!!
As he was presented with a plaque and VPP flag, Rick Hepperla, senior vice president and general manager for ABB Low Voltage Drives, noted, "This award comes as we celebrate a very successful year for New Berlin - the most successful, as measured in sales and revenue. "It was no single person who achieved this, but all of us."
Richard Bizek, North American safety manager for ABB Automation Products Division, read excerpts from Dr. Tan, an Aurora Healthcare physician who commented on the amazing strides ABB is making in the field of employee health and safety; Tan was quoted as saying, "ABB should be held as an example for all manufacturing facilities to follow."
Bizek also presented Rick Kegel, safety and plant engineer for the ABB New Berlin facility, with a Quality Salute Award for all his hard work and dedication to this project. Kegel played a critical part in leading efforts in the achievement of Star status.
Greg Scheu, who heads up the Automation Products Division, and Darryl Hill, North American Regional OHS advisor for ABB, sent letters of commendation, noting pride and pleasure they take in ABB New Berlin's accomplishments. Hill also mentioned that the OHS 2008 meeting will be held in New Berlin, as an illustration and example of how ABB North America locations can earn VPP Star status.
