HAWAI`I BUSINESSES RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EXEMPLARY SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS
For Immediate Release: April 22, 2004
HONOLULU – The State of Hawai`i and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) today recognized eight Hawai`i companies for exemplary safety and health management systems based on federal standards. The national awards represent a significant achievement in the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s efforts to ensure safe and healthy workplace environments for employees, while also fostering a business-friendly climate that enhances employee productivity and reduces costs to businesses.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor-OSHA John L. Henshaw joined Governor Linda Lingle, Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., and Director of Labor and Industrial Relations Nelson Befitel in honoring the eight Hawai`i businesses. Three of the companies were recognized for achieving Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) status, and five businesses were honored for successfully completing the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
“OSHA is honored to join the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in recognizing these outstanding Hawaii companies that have worked diligently and continuously to improve their safety and health programs to ensure employees have a safe and healthy work environment," said Assistant Secretary Henshaw.
OSHA’s VPP and SHARP safety recognition programs are administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) through its Hawai`i Occupational Safety and Health Division (HIOSH). VPP promotes effective worksite-based safety and health through established cooperative relationships of management, labor, and OSHA. The SHARP program recognizes small employers who operate exemplary safety and health management systems.
“These Hawai`i businesses have raised the bar for safety and health in the workplace, and in doing so have demonstrated their appreciation for and commitment to their valued employees,” said Governor Lingle. “The state is proud to work in partnership with the business sector to assist companies in protecting and strengthening their workforce and improving their overall operations.”
“In the past, state government often took an adversarial role when it came to enforcing workplace rules,” said Director Befitel. “This Administration’s approach has been to work as a partner with businesses, to assist them with accident prevention and containment costs. These partnerships demonstrate that we have made significant strides in changing the way our Department, particularly HIOSH, is doing business. The fact that eight Hawai`i businesses today have received national recognition compared to just one 16 months ago shows that this collaborative approach is working. We look forward to partnering with other companies to enhance their workplace safety programs.”
Three companies have achieved VPP status: Chevron Hawai`i Refinery, Frito-Lay of Hawai`i, Ltd., and Dick Pacific Construction Co. Ltd. Chevron became the first Hawaii company to receive VPP status last year, and has since worked with HIOSH to serve as a mentor to other Hawaii companies.
Meanwhile, five small businesses are the first in Hawai`i to receive SHARP credentials for exemplary safety and health management systems: KD Construction Inc.; Nordic Construction Ltd.; RCI Construction Group, Pacific Group; Jayar Construction, and Kimi Hotels Inc. dba Maui Seaside Hotel. All of these companies have accomplished superior safety and health management systems through an outstanding partnership between management, labor and the DLIR.
“Having Assistant Secretary Henshaw present these awards in person to our Hawai`i businesses is quite an honor, and demonstrates OSHA’s commitment to work collaboratively with companies to promote workplace health and safety,” said Befitel. This is the first time the head of OSHA has come to Hawai`i to make such a presentation.
For more information on participating with the VPP or SHARP, please contact Allan Yokoyama, Occupational Safety and Health Business Facilitator, at (808) 586-8868.
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For more information, contact:
Allan M. Yokoyama
OSH Business Safety Facilitator
Office of the Director
Telephone: (808) 586-8868
Fax: (808) 586-9099
Email: Allan.M.Yokoyama@hawaii.gov
James P. Hardway
Assistant to the Director
Phone: (808) 586-8845
Fax: (808) 586-9099
Email: jhardway@hawaii.gov
