Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) Ventura, Calif., manufacturing plant has earned Star status in California’s Voluntary Protection Program (Cal/VPP).
This designation is the highest recognition bestowed by the program, which is administered by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA). The plant, which is operated by DFA’s Global Dairy Products Group (GDPG), becomes part of an accomplished minority with this achievement. It is one of just 82 sites in California to attain this level of recognition.
“Everyone at the plant worked extremely hard to achieve this level of recognition, and we are proud to join an elite group of worksites as a Cal/VPP Star,” said Tim Hampshire, plant manager. “It is a remarkable honor and a true testament to the effort we put into creating a work environment where our employees and our customers can be assured that safety is a top priority.”
Cal/VPP Star worksites go beyond the requirements of state or federal standards. Participants are held to the highest standards through an intensive evaluation by Cal-OSHA consultants. Worksites develop and implement systems to identify, evaluate, prevent and control occupational hazards. By reaching the VPP Star status, employees are able to take pride in the world-class safety environment they helped shape.
To join this select class, the Ventura plant — which produces Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drinks for the North American Coffee Partnership, a joint venture between PepsiCo and Starbucks Coffee Company — has successfully demonstrated comprehensive safety and health management systems while meeting strict safety criteria and completing a three-part evaluation process. In addition, the plant has shown exemplary dedication and continual improvement in its management commitment, employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and health and safety training.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America