American Saw receives OSHA honor

EAST LONGMEADOW Lenox's American Saw & Mfg. Co. plant in East Longmeadow has been recertified for an additional five-year membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"This award spotlights Lenox's outstanding and ongoing safety and health management at this plant," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator.

The Plant, which employs 646 workers, manufactures saw blades and hand tools, including band saws, hack saws, tubing cutters and utility knives.

With its "Star" recertification, it continues as part of an elite corps of about 1,370 workplaces nationwide that have earned VPP recognition.

The latest recertification came after an OSHA team's thorough on-site review of the plant's safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite. The plant was first certified as a "Star" site in June 1997 and recertified in September 2000.

"Our latest review of the plant's safety and health management programs found that they remain consistent with the high quality of VPP programs," Kent said. "In addition, the plant's illness and injury rates remain well below the industry average for saw blade manufacturing."

OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs offer employers an opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems. VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. The VPP programs are open to deserving employers in any industry.

Requirements for application to VPP include a high degree of management support and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite hazard analysis; prevention and control programs; and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the program.

Additional information is available from the VPP manager at the OSHA regional office in Boston at (617) 565-9890.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.