On Oct. 8th, International Paper's Detroit Container Plant, located in Howell, became the seventh facility in the state to receive the prestigious Michigan Voluntary Protection Programs (MVPP) Star award for workplace safety and health excellence. Former CIS Director Noelle Clark presented the Star Flag.

"We are honored today to award another International Paper facility with the state's most distinguished safety award, the MVPP Star," said Clark. "The Detroit Container Plant has an outstanding safety and health management system which empowers employees to make safety their top production priority."

International Paper Detroit Container Plant's employees and
invited guests celebrate the raising of the MVPP Star Flag.

Employees raised the MVPP Star flag during the ceremony. Accepting the Star award were Ron Helmuth, EHS Manager, and members of the safety committee. State and local elected officials,corporate leaders, as well as CIS and MIOSHA representatives, were on hand to congratulate Detroit Container employees and management on their outstanding achievement.

"Receiving the MVPP Star award recognizes the outstanding safety and health efforts of the entire Howell team," said Detroit Container General Manager Matt Mataya. "We have dramatically reduced our injury and illness rates by working in partnership with MIOSHA, and taking advantage of the MVPP team's knowledge and experience."

The Detroit Container plant's Incidence Rates and Lost Work Day Rates are well below the Michigan average for their SIC code, 2653, Paperboard Containers and Boxes. The Total Case Incidence Rate for Detroit Container was 2.6 in 1999, 3.6 in 2000, and 3.7 in 2001-compared to 6.8, 6.8, and 6.8, respectively, for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average. The Total Lost Work Day Cases for Detroit Container was 0.0 in 1999, 2.0 in 2000, and 0.0 in 2001-compared to 3.6, 3.6, and 3.6 respectively, for the BLS industry average.

"Nationally, VPP sites experience 60 to 80 percent less lost work day injuries than would be expected of an average site in their industry," said former CIS Deputy Director Kalmin Smith. "Not only does the MVPP program significantly reduce injuries and illnesses, but it also has a tremendous impact on the company's bottom line."

MIOSHA established the MVPP program in 1996 to reward worksites that develop and implement outstanding safety and health programs that go beyond MIOSHA standards. The MVPP Review Team consisted of CET consultants: David Luptowski, Team Leader; D.W. Johnson; Linda Long; and Sherry Walker.

Commitment to health and safety performance is a core value at International Paper. Management keeps all employees informed of safety and health goals and requirements within the facility through memos, communications, e-mails, and training meetings. It is management's belief that truly outstanding safety and health performance is not achieved through a top-down approach, rather it must be shared.

Three years ago, the site instituted a behavioral-based performance (BBP) process to improve their safety and health management system. Through this system, employees are empowered to integrate safety and health into all aspects of the operations, owning their own safety and health performance. Management, employees and union representatives credit the BBP process for a substantial drop in recordable incidences.

Overall responsibility for the safety and health program belongs to the general manager. Safety is also a specific rating criterion on all employee annual evaluations. Key job responsibilities, including safety, are also included in all written job descriptions. Employees are empowered to act on any safety and health issues and are held accountable for their own safety and health performance evaluation process.

Detroit Container has 117 employees, with 85 employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement with Paper, Allied Chemical Employees (PACE) Local #1107. The relationship between the plant management is very good, and both parties confirm that they work together toward mutual, agreed upon goals.

The IP Audit Team: Ron Helmuth, EHS Manager; Sherry
Walker, CET Consultant; D.W. Johnson, CET Consultant;
Hallie Roerig, Administrative Asst.; Juan Mendiola, Reg.
EHS Manager; Dave Luptowski, CET Consultant; Bob
Hayward, Maintenance Manager; Linda Long, CET
Consultant.

International Paper is the world's largest paper and forest products company. Businesses include paper, packaging, and forest products. International Paper has operations in over 40 countries and sells its products in more than 120 nations.