iLevel by Weyerhaeuser achieves top recognition

iLevel by Weyerhaeuser in Tacoma achieves top recognition for occupational safety & health as Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) STAR.

Ongoing dedication and perseverance to safety by the employees at the iLevel warehouse facility in Tacoma earned them the distinguished Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star Worksite designation presented by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) on August 7, 2009.

Tacoma iLevel Service Center (iSC), an operating company of iLevel by Weyerhaeuser, is a lumber material wholesaler and distributor. At this facility, a design team prepares layouts for proper use of iLevel brand name products in new homes, facilities, and remodels. Many products must be cut to order, which is completed onsite prior to shipping. The site, covering 19 acres, consists of one warehouse, two office areas and seven truck-loading areas. The three-year average total case incident rate (TCIR) and days away restricted transferred incident rate (DARTIR) for this period are 0.15 and 0.0, respectively. The site TCIR is 89 percent below and the DARTIR is 100 percent below the three-year BLS national average for similar industries.

A well-attended STAR Ceremony was held at the iLevel site on August 7, 2009. Tom Chalk, Site Sales Operations Manager was the Master of Ceremonies. Distinguished guests included: Carole Washburn, Deputy Director for Operations, Labor and Industries;   the Mayor of Tacoma, Bill Baarsma; Tom Gideon, Executive VP Forest Products; Phil Dennett, VP - iLevel Supply Chain; Carlos Guilherme, VP - iLevel Marketing and Sales; Rod Dempster, VP EWP Market Supply Manager; Leighton Hiranaga, HR Director iLevel Marketing, Sales and Supply Chain; Dee Goodin, Northwest Division General Manager; Rick Miltimore, Northwest Division Operations Manager; Robin Davis, Northwest Division Service Manager; Darren Sorenson, Northwest Division Technical Support Manager; Chris Coalson, Region Manager; and John Geppert, Consultation and Outreach Program Manager, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Labor and Industries.

“Develop a vision for the site.  It's important to know where you are going, as well as give your team a focus point to work towards in the future ,” said Tom Chalk, site sales operations manager. “ At Tacoma our Vision is a proud team recognized as number 1 in safety .”

VPP status is approved by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries for worksite applicants who have achieved outstanding safety and health programs. Only 2000 sites nationally have achieved this elite VPP status. The ilevel site is one of 27 in the state.

For more information, contact Tom Chalk, Site Sales Operations Manager at 253-474-8888.

For more information about DOSH's Voluntary Protection Program, where DOSH and Washington companies work together to improve safety and health programs, contact Tom Norris, Safety and Health VPP Specialist, 360-902-4792.