| VPP: CH2MHill Cedar Treatment Facility Receives STAR |  | |
CH2MHill Cedar Treatment Facility Construction Project Awarded VPP STAR Status for Worker Safety & Health
CH2MHill Cedar Treatment Facility (CTF) is the first construction project in Washington State to be awarded the prestigious Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) “STAR”. CH2MHILL’s CTF construction project in King County received national and state recognition for excellence in workplace safety and health programs by the Department of Labor and Industries — Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) through the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
CH2MHILL Cedar Water Treatment Construction Project becomes the fourth Washington employer to be recognized as a VPP Star.
CH2MHILL became the fourth Washington employer to be recognized for this elite STAR status, as a VPP construction site, one of 972 such sites across the nation of which only 19 are construction sites. Through the combined commitment of CH2MHill Constructors Inc., their Subcontractors, Vendors/Suppliers and the support of the Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council in partnership with WISHA they were able to achieve this elite recognition of their safety and health programs.
The VPP STAR plaque and flag were presented by Michael Wood, Senior Program Manager of Policy and Technical Services, WISHA, along with other representatives on June 17, 2003 at a celebration ceremony and luncheon for workers, contractors, subcontractors, dignitaries and guests at the construction project site by Lake Youngs. Ron Campbell, Chief Operation Officer of CH2MHILL Constructors, Inc.; Dan Reynolds, CH2MHILL’s CTF Senior Project Manager; Liz Kelley, Seattle Public Utilities –Project Owner; Peter Coates, President, Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council, Safety Managers Randy Peck, Denny Southam, Alicia Sweeney: and Tom Searle, Operations Director Water Business Group CH2MHILL Constructors Inc. All spoke on efforts leading to VPP STAR status and congratulated the site's subcontractor management and craft employees on their achievements and commitment in construction safety and health.
CH2MHILL Constructors, Inc. thanked the core group of Seattle Public Utilities, Mortenson Construction, General Construction Company, Plateau Electrical Construction, University Mechanical Contractors, Skaar Construction along with 60 other associated subcontractors, union locals, vendors/suppliers for their efforts contributing towards achieving the VPP STAR. CH2MHILL stated, "that without their continued support and commitment to safety and health, this STAR award could not have been attained."
Michael Wood, WISHA presents VPP plaque to CH2MHill CTF |
Liz Kelly, Seattle Public Utilities |
Showing the Star Flag |
John Coates, Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council |
Hazards Associated with Construction is High
The potential hazards at this worksite are those typically associated with a construction project, including machinery with moving parts, electrical hazards, working over water, aerial lifts, cranes, hoists, rigging, earthmoving equipment, demolition hazards, excavations, scaffolds, welding/cutting, steel erection, material handling equipment, ergonomic hazards, walking/working surfaces, ladders, confined space hazards, high noise levels, silica exposures, fall hazards and hazardous chemicals. Despite these hazards, the site has achieved over the past 21 months they have been in operation an excellent safety record. Both the total case incident rate (TCIR) of 2.3 and the day’s away-restricted transferred incident rate (DARTIR) of 2.3 are well below the national average for their standard industrial classification. The site TCIR is 70 percent below and the DARTIR is 40 percent below the 2001 (BLS) industry national averages for similar construction sites.
To qualify for the VPP designation, CH2MHill Constructors Inc. had to meet the criteria of a 19-point program promoting worker safety and health excellence and submit a VPP application. Seven Washington Department of Labor and Industries (WISHA) safety and health evaluators surveyed the site for four days, reviewed programs, documents; worksite conditions and interviewed more than 48 construction site workers.
The VPP STAR status was approved on June 11, 2003 and was conferred for the CH2MHill's leadership, commitment, excellent safety record and extensive employee participation in a continual safety and health improvement program. Being a VPP STAR site is a very prestigious recognition for excellence in safety and health, which is earned by a worksite every day through their commitment and efforts. For more information on the VPP contact Ken Werenko, WISHA VPP at (360-902-5515)
WISHA Onsite Team & Site Representatives with VPP STAR Flag |
Raising the Star Flag |
