December 15, 2008 -Georgia-Pacific's Corrugated III LLC Albion facility recently received renewal of its MVPP Star Award, the state's highest workplace safety and health award, from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).
"Georgia-Pacific is to be commended for its exemplary commitment to workplace safety and health. They have created a corporate culture where workplace safety and health is a top priority," said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. "The Albion facility recognizes that a safe workplace provides the foundation for a productive workplace."
MIOSHA established the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) program in 1996 to recognize employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health. Since 1999, Michigan has recognized 27 MVPP Star companies. This is the most prestigious safety and health award given in Michigan. The Albion facility first received Star approval on July 28, 2005.
"The success of the Albion plant is all about the people. It takes involvement from everyone in the facility - from the general manager to the newest hire," said E H &S Manager Michael A. Haire. "We built an organization and culture that is committed to full compliance and equipped to achieve ‘Injury and Error Free' performance."
The Albion facility's incidence rate and lost work day rate are well below the Michigan average for their NAICS code 322211 − Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing. Their total case incidence rate (TCIR) was 3.7 in 2005, 3.9 in 2006, and 2.7 in 2007-compared to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average of 4.6 in 2005, and 4.5 in 2006 and 2007. The total day's away/restricted cases (DART) rate was 1.2 in 2005, 2.6 in 2006, and 1.3 in 2007-compared to the BLS industry average of 2.6 in 2005, and 2.8 in 2006 and 2007.
The Albion facility employs 69 workers and is considered a high-hazard operation. The MIOSHA review team consisted of Doug Kimmel, Team Leader and Safety Consultant; and Fred Kirkland, Jr., Industrial Hygienist. During the review, the team conducted one formal and 15 informal interviews. A new triple stack machine was added in 2005 and a new single facer machine was added in 2006, other than that the process remains essentially unchanged.
The Albion facility has an exemplary safety and health record, and has exhibited outstanding leadership in recognizing that a comprehensive safety and health program is critical to successful businesses today. The team examined various elements of the safety and health management system, and found them to effectively address the scope and complexity of the hazards at the site.
Several changes and improvements have been made in their safety and health management system since their 2005 evaluation, including:
- Replaced the accident prevention manual (APM) system with the Compliance Standards System, which the review team found to be very thorough and complete.
- Corporation and individual sites are now using the electronic TRAX system to track safety inspections, incident/accident investigations, employee reports of hazards, etc.
- Installed additional ergonomic equipment and provided additional training on posture and lifting techniques.
- Replaced many conveyor belts with a new style that significantly reduces the potential hazards for employees.
- Installed temporary barriers and removable chains installed along the edge of the raildock which reduces the likelihood of powered industrial trucks driving off of the edge of the dock.
Georgia-Pacific's safety and environmental compliance goal is known in the company as 10,000 percent; this is achieved with 100 percent of employees complying 100 percent of the time. To help meet this goal, employees receive extensive training and are recognized by the company for their accomplishments.
Georgia-Pacific's corporate dedication and commitment to health and safety excellence is exemplified by their many facilities that have achieved Star status in federal OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). To date, Georgia-Pacific has 71 certified VPP Star sites, and in 2004 was named OSHA's very first Corporate VPP member.
Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose and related chemicals. The company employs approximately 50,000 people at more than 300 locations in North America, South America and Europe. The familiar consumer tissue brands of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Sparkle®, Soft 'n Gentle®, Mardi Gras®, So-Dri® and Vanity Fair®. Dixie Consumer Products LLC, a Georgia-Pacific company, manufactures the Dixie® brand of tabletop products. Georgia-Pacific has long been among the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers, with brands such as Plytanium® plywood, DryPly® water repellent plywood, Ply-Bead® panels and Wood I Beam™ joists offered by Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC and DensArmor Plus® interior drywall, DensGlass Gold® sheathing and ToughRock® wallboard offered by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC. For more information, visit www.gp.com.
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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