December 12, 2003 – Johnson Technology, Inc.’s Norton Shores Plant will receive the prestigious Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Rising Star Award for workplace safety and health excellence from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) on Saturday, December 13th.   The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division established the MVPP program to recognize employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health.  It was created in 1996 to reward worksites that develop and implement outstanding safety and health management systems that go beyond MIOSHA standards.

MIOSHA Deputy Director Martha Yoder will present the “MVPP Rising Star Award” to David M. Yacavone, President, who will accept the award on behalf of all 87 associates at a gathering of employees from both the Norton Shores Plant and the Latimer Plant, which received the “MVPP Star” award in 2003.

“MVPP Star” sites must have Incidence Rates and Lost Work Day Rates below the Michigan average for their SIC Code for three years.  The Norton Shores SIC Code is 3724, Aircraft Engines and Engine Parts, and their rates are below the industry average for two years, which qualifies them for the “Rising Star Award.”

The Total Case Incidence Rate for the Norton Shores Plant was 4.5 in 2001, and 2.2 in 2002 compared to 6.4, and 6.4, respectively, for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average.    The Total Lost Work Day Cases for the Norton Shores Plant was 0.0 in 2001, and 0.0 in 2002 compared to 2.8, and 2.8, respectively, for the BLS industry average.

The MIOSHA MVPP Review Team found the Norton Shores facility meets all the MVPP requirements and that all MIOSHA standards are appropriately covered.  This facility has an excellent safety and health management system in place, and all required elements are consistent with the high quality expected of MVPP sites.

Areas of excellence at the Norton Shores facility include:

• All machines have appropriate ventilation,
• Efforts are made to keep all parts at waist level, in order to promote good ergonomics,
• Lockout/Tagout procedures are posted at all machines,
• Employees have many opportunities to be involved in the safety process, and
• A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) has been performed for each work process, with monthly audits.

The Norton Shores Plant produces nozzle segments and turbine nozzle assemblies for gas turbine engines. Their 87 associates annually manufacture over 18,000 jet engine components for use in several different types of commercial and military aircraft engines.

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