Sixth consecutive highest honor for workplace safety awarded to Howmet Aerospace, Whitehall Operations receives by MIOSHA

Feb. 25, 2021

Contact: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928

LANSING, Mich. - Howmet Aerospace, Whitehall Operations received a sixth recertification of its Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award status, the state's highest workplace safety and health designation from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

"MIOSHA commends this significant achievement of a sixth consecutive Star award designation in recognition of Howmet Aerospace Whitehall Operations' exemplary commitment to workplace safety and health," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "Congratulations to their team for continued excellence in demonstrating that a safe workplace is a productive workplace, where everyone can return home free of injury and illness."

MIOSHA's MVPP recognizes employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health. The agency awards the Star status to companies that both implement protections beyond MIOSHA requirements and have injury and illness rates below the industry average for the last three years. The Whitehall Operations site received its first MVPP Star award in May 2004, and was recertified in 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2017. The site is exempt from programmed inspections for three years.

One of the facility's best practices is the development and implementation of a new Safety Glass Fit Check Policy to ensure that employees have properly fitting safety glasses. Allowable measurement tolerances of safety glasses at various points are now identified to ensure a customized proper fit for every employee.[QE(2] 

"On behalf of the Howmet Aerospace, Whitehall Operations leadership team, I congratulate our employees on their outstanding efforts resulting in our sixth MVPP Star Award, the state's highest workplace safety and health designation," said Amy Heisser, Director, Human Resources Aero North, Howmet Aerospace, Whitehall Operations. "This award is a proud moment for all our employees and proof of our continued commitment to excellence in our environmental, safety and health practices."

Howmet Aerospace is the largest manufacturing employer in Muskegon County with more than 2,000 employees at nine operations. The company has manufactured aircraft engine components since 1951.

Howmet Aerospace creates breakthrough products that shape industries. Working in close partnership with its customers, Howmet Aerospace solves complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, build and power. Through the ingenuity of its people and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques, Howmet Aerospace delivers these products at a quality and efficiency that ensures customer success and shareholder value. For more information, visit howmet.com.

Learn more about the MIOSHA MVPP program and how to apply, at Michigan.gov/MIOSHA.