Evonik Cyro’s Osceola, Ark., Plant Honored For Superior Health, Safety Practices

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded Evonik Cyro’s performance polymers plant in Osecola, Ark., its highest recognition - Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star recertification - for implementing superior safety and health practices.

The award from OSHA is for going above and beyond promoting effective safety and health programs, said Osceola Site Manager Jim Bunn. The Osceola site first received VPP Star recognition in 2003.

“All Osceola employees worked extremely hard to achieve this prestigious recognition,” Bunn said. “VPP Star recognizes that we have achieved environmental, safety and health excellence. Daily we encourage all employees to be accountable for safety as a life skill not only for the workplace but in all aspects of their lives.”

Drew Scott, Evonik Cyro director of manufacturing in North America, noted that the Osceola site – and all Evonik facilities - are committed to promoting a safe and healthy work environment that goes beyond compliance. “Each team member is committed to being aware of hazards and takes the initiative to address the safety and health issue,” said Scott. “Together, all Evonik employees make us a safer, more productive place to work.”

According to Bunn, becoming a VPP Star site isn't easy. “OSHA evaluates a site's application and, if judged complete and acceptable, sends a team of safety and health experts to conduct an extensive onsite review,” says Bunn. “The OSHA team must verify that the safety and health management systems meet VPP requirements.”

Remaining a VPP Star site isn't easy, either, he adds. OSHA conducts re-approval evaluations every five years. “That means we must constantly cast a critical eye on our safety and health efforts by conducting an annual self-evaluation - noting improvements we made, deficiencies we identified, and actions taken by our employees to correct problems,” said Bunn. “We then share the results with regional OSHA office each year.”

According to OSHA, VPP Star sites report fewer worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses and lost work day rates are generally 50 percent below industry averages. VPP Star sites also report lower workers' compensation and other injury- and illness-related costs than before joining the program.

“We are very proud of our VPP Star status,” said Bunn. “And we are committed to working very hard to maintain it.”

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