RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 10, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Commissioner Gary G. Pan today announced that BC Wood Products in Ashland, Va., has been certified as a Virginia SHARP worksite under the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Achievement in Safety and Health Recognition Program (SHARP), the agency’s highest level of recognition for excellence in safety and health management systems for small businesses.
Image caption: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
“This outstanding achievement in occupational safety and health is the result of the dedication and hard work of the employees and management of BC Wood Products. I commend BC Wood Products for embracing the cooperative spirit of the SHARP program and congratulate them on their hard-earned certification as a Virginia SHARP Worksite,” said Commissioner Pan.
BC Wood Products’ commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for its employees is demonstrated by its low injury and illness rates. The Ashland facility has a three-year total average for TCIR (total case incident rate for injuries and illnesses) of 1.5 compared to a national Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) rate of 5.1, which represents a CIRR rate 71% lower than the national rate. average for the industry. The site’s three-year average DART rate (days away, restricted or transferred injury and illness cases) is 0.9, compared to the national rate of 3.5, which is 72% lower than the national average Of the industry.
As part of the recognition for obtaining Virginia SHARP status, the worksite is authorized to display the Virginia “SHARP Worksite” flag. The process to achieve Virginia SHARP status is lengthy to ensure only the best companies qualify. Currently, there are only 14 Virginia SHARP locations in the state. The BC Wood Products site has set an unparalleled standard of excellence.
Virginia companies that participate in SHARP significantly improve the safety and health protection of thousands of Virginia employees through cooperative efforts to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities. SHARP work sites consistently report decreased net costs associated with dramatic reductions in injury and illness rates (an average of approximately 50% below the respective industry average) and improved productivity and employee morale. Reducing the costs to private sector employers associated with injuries, illnesses and fatalities improves a company’s economic viability and competitiveness and increases the capital available for reinvestment, expansion and new hires.
DOLI operates six recognition programs. These include:
1. Virginia STAR is a cooperative relationship between the VOSH program, employer and employees that includes the agreement of company leaders to operate exceptional safety and health management systems that meet a rigorous set of safety criteria. safety and health at work. Participating employers agree to voluntarily participate in the program and to directly involve employees in all aspects of the company’s safety and health management systems. Requirements include a thorough application process, submission of written safety and health policies and procedures, demonstration of successful implementation of these programs through injury and illness rates below the national average for the employer’s industry and a week-long intensive inspection by a VPP team. experts.
2. Virginia BEST (Bbuilding Eexcellence in Ssafety, health and Jraining) is a strategic partnership between DOLI and Associated General Contractors of Virginia (AGCVA) which recognizes AGCVA members who voluntarily implement highly effective safety and health management systems for the benefit of construction workers and reduce or eliminate injuries, illnesses and fatalities on construction sites. construction in Virginia.
3. Virginia BUILT is a new strategic partnership between DOLI and Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia (ABCVA) and is designed to encourage and recognize ABC-VAmembers who voluntarily implement highly effective safety and health management systems to benefit construction workers and reduce or eliminate injuries, illnesses and fatalities on construction sites in Virginia. The Virginia BUILT program integrates the ABC STEP program (Safety Training Evaluation Process)as a gateway to participation in Virginia BUILT.
4. Virginia CHALLENGE is a formal, three-step recognition program that significantly improves workplace safety and health and prepares the company to apply for Virginia STAR recognition.
5. VOSH-VADOC CHALLENGE is a strategic partnership between the DOLI and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) to recognize excellence in safety and health in Commonwealth correctional facilities. Three stages of participation in the VADOC Challenge prepare a site to apply for Virginia STAR recognition. Virginia has the only two correctional facilities in the nation to have received VPP STAR status, Augusta and Lunenburg Correctional Centers. Further information can be obtained by contacting the DOLI office nearest to you at www.doli.virginia.gov or contact Milford Stern, VPP Manager, at (540) 562-3580, ext. 123, or [email protected].
6. The Health and Safety Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes companies with 250 or fewer employees and is administered by the DOLI Advisory Services Division. Contact Tracy Michaud, Counseling Program Manager, at (804) 786-8707 or [email protected].
DOLI also offers free On-site consultation services to help employers better understand and voluntarily comply with VOSH standards. Priority is given to high-risk workplaces with 250 or fewer employees and all services are free to employers. On-site consulting services help employers identify and correct potential safety and health hazards by conducting walk-through surveys (without citations or penalties), reduction advice, on-site training and program support develop safety and health programs. Additional information about on-site consulting services can be obtained by contacting the DOLI office nearest you at www.doli.virginia.gov or by contacting Tracy Michaud, Counseling Program Manager, at (804) 786-8707, or [email protected].
The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), under Section 23(g) of the Safety Act of 1970 and occupational health. The Virginia State FFY21 plan is funded by a $4,332,400 grant of federal funds, which is 50% of the state plan budget, excluding any state overrun funds . Zero percent, or $0.00 of the state plan budget, is funded by non-government sources.
The Virginia On-Site Consultation Cooperative Agreement program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), under Section 21(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The FFY21 Virginia Counseling Program is funded by a $1,189,200 grant of federal funds, which constitutes 90% of Virginia’s Counseling Program budget, excluding any top-up state funding. Zero percent, or $0.00 of Virginia’s consulting budget, is funded by non-governmental sources.
News source: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
