HIOSH Awards Highest Safety Honor to Monsanto - Moloka'i

On Wednesday, July 13, 2011, Deputy Director Audrey Hidano awarded the Hawaii VPP or Hana Po`okela (excellent work) Flag and plaque to Monsanto Molokai.  VPP, Voluntary Protection Program, is OSHA’s top safety and health category recognizing employers for exemplary safety and health culture and results.  Nationally, less than one-tenth of one percent of companies have achieved this prestigious recognition. 

In Hawai`i, Monsanto-Molokai becomes only the 4th site to be so recognized.  VPP sites must achieve excellence in 4 overall categories of an effective safety and health program:  (1) management commitment and employee involvement; (2) hazard recognition and evaluation; (3) hazard correction and control; and (4) safety and health training.  Mastering these four elements have contributed to significant reductions in injuries and illnesses, in workers’ compensation costs, and have been shown to impact business qualities such as customer service, product and quality service, and employee retention rates.  VPP sites are exempt from programmed inspections and serve to remind all employers that “Safety Pays”. 

To find out more about VPP, go to http://hawaii.gov/labor/hiosh/hiosh-quick-links/vpp.shtml