The VPPStore Team would like to congratulate AK Tube LLC (Columbus, IN) for completing their VPP Star Site Rectification!  This milestone signifies that this facility maintained a safety program that met or even exceeded the standards set by OSHA.  In an article published on www.reliableplant.com the following shows just how important it is to be safe and how being VPP sets an example for all…

“Your re-approval to the Voluntary Protection Program is a strong endorsement of the continued dedication to workplace safety and health demonstrated by you and your employees at AK Tube LLC in Columbus,” said Lori Torres, commissioner for the Indiana Department of Labor. “As a participant in the VPP, you hold a position as an industry leader in workplace safety and health, and serve as a model for what a safety and health management system can be.”

You can read the complete article covering AK Tube LLC by Clicking Here

The VPPStore Team hopes that this story and more to come will inspire everyone to be safe in and outside the workplace.

RP news wires, “AK Tube plant in Indiana obtains OSHA VPP recertification”. Reliable Plant Magazine.

Robins unit receives OSHA safety award

Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Nov 18, 2009 15:09:09 EST on AIRFORCE TIMES.com

The 402nd Software Maintenance Group at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., has been named a “Star Site” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The group is the first government organization at Robins, and the first maintenance unit in Air Force Materiel Command, to receive the designation.

Star Site is OSHA’s highest level of recognition under the Voluntary Protection Program, which recognizes performance-based safety excellence that builds on existing safety and occupational health programs.

An OSHA auditing team spent three days with the group in early June, touring eight facilities, reviewing hundreds of records and interviewing many of its 900 employees.

Melanie Clearman, the VPP program manager at Robins, said earning the recognition is a “very big deal” and puts Robins on track for its ultimate goal of having the entire base declared a Star Site.

The 402nd has put up bulletin boards upon which photos of family members and even pets are posted to remind workers why they should be safe. Work areas also have boards where employees can anonymously alert leadership to safety hazards. Each computer also has a safety “dashboard” where team members can track VPP-related information.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has designated Greif Packaging LLC in Omaha, Neb., as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star site, the department’s highest recognition for meeting or exceeding workplace safety and health standards.

Greif Packaging, a manufacturer of uncoated paper and multiwall bags with more than 60 employees in Omaha, earned VPP Star recognition following a comprehensive onsite evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.

“Greif Packaging in Omaha is a model of workplace safety,” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “The company has displayed outstanding effort in implementing a comprehensive safety and health management system.”

Through the VPP, OSHA recognizes employers and employees that have implemented exemplary workplace safety and health management systems. Management, labor and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent injuries, illnesses and workplace hazards. As part of attaining VPP status, employers must demonstrate management commitment to the safety and health of their employees and actively involve employees in the safety and health management system.

RP news wires, “Greif plant in Nebraska earns OSHA safety recognition”. Reliable Plant Magazine. / 

When the Prize is Safety, Every Employee Wins

By Marilyn Loeser

Friday, November 6, 2009

The excitement is palpable.

Letter carriers and retail associates in their crisp blue uniforms, rural carriers and maintenance employees in casual attire, and managers and dignitaries in suits mingle around the staging area shaking hands and patting each other on the back.

The focus is on safety; the celebration is for success.

Guests of honor represent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They will be presently a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) award to the Postal Service employees who dedicated themselves to making their workplace the safest it can be.

This scene has been painted in varying colors, locations and number of employees — at Post Offices and mail processing plants — nearly 275 times since federal worksites became eligible for VPP participation in 1998.

“We’re celebrating the honor of being designated a VPP site and we’re celebrating the fact we all worked together to make it happen,” said Covington, KY, Postmaster Elaine Huhn as she congratulated her employees at their VPP celebration.

 Covington VPP team. Front row, from left – Letter Carrier Diane Von Barger, Retail Associate Hollie Burke, Maintenance Employee Jennie Edmonds and Distribution Clerk Brian Donoghue. Back row, from left – Letter Carriers Ben Calloway and Tim Ray and Maintenance Employee Mike Selm.

The obvious benefit of pursuing VPP status is an improved safety environment for employees, but it also enlists the help of every employee — management and labor — under the guidance of OSHA.

“This is the absolute highest government safety award any facility can receive,” Cincinnati District Manager Chu Falling Star said at the Covington event.

Two best Practices that OSHA recognized Covington employees for were their dog bite program and ergonomic risk reduction process program.

From left, Supervisor Tony Dallojacono, Middletown Mayor Pamela Brightbill, Letter Carriers Kathleen Tappe and Walter Cruz, Retail and Distribution Associate Donna Smith, Letter Carrier Frank Fossetta and Postmaster Dimiter Topchev.

With a back drop of autumn leaves, and 650 miles to the east, Middletown, NJ, employees gathered outside their Post Office for a celebration of their own which included hoisting the coveted VPP flag.

“This is the third Post Office to earn this prestigious award in the South Jersey District,” said Safety Manager Donna Bowers. “The first two were Cherry Hill and Deptford.”

To become a VPP site, an application is submitted and reviewed by OSHA followed by a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.

The facility can be a small rural Post Office or a massive mail processing plant in a major city — the rules are the same.

 For more information check the website http://www.osha.gov/.

Posted on fedsmith.com  on November 6,2009

With Flu season on the rise, VPPStore is helping you attack the Flu before it attacks you.  We’ve added a group of products aimed at helping you to fight back.  Check out some of the products in our newest category “FLU Season”…

Antibacterial Ultra Slim Sprayer

.33oz of antibacterial spray in our unique credit card shaped sprayer package. Non-Alcohol – Unscented

Pricing as low as $1.75 each!!

Click Here to purchase the Antibacterial Ultra Slim Sprayer

Jumbo Antibacterial Sprayer

Economy 0.33oz (10 ml) of hand sanitizer in our convenient pocket sprayers. Fits nicely into your pocket, handbag, or tote. Non-Alcohol

Pricing as low as $.82 each!!

Click Here to purchase the Jumbo Antibacterial Sprayer

Antibacterial Wet Wipe Packets

Convenient one-use antibacterial packets are perfect for on-the-go! Antibacterial products effectively clean and kill germs, while gentle on your hands

Pricing as low as $.47 each!!

Click Here to purchase the Antibacterial Wet Wipe Packets

Antibacterial Wet Wipes Pocket Canister

Anti Bacterial Wipe Canister fits easily in your pocket or purse for easy use. Comes with beaded keychain.  Each canister contains 20 mini wipes.

Pricing as low as $.93!!

Click Hereto purchase the Antibacterial Wet Wipes Pocket Canister

There are more Flu fighting products in the “Flu Season” category at www.VPPStore.com. 

Or call 800-868-7018 to start fighting back while keeping Safety and Health in mind.

The VPPStore Team

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Monthand VPPStore has come up with a  collection of products not only to promote safety, but to promote and support a cause.  Take a look at our selection…

Pink Hard Hats

For the month of October, VPPStore is selling individual Pink Hard Hats for $30.  The Hard Hat features the OSHA VPP logo and meets ANSI Z89.1, Type 1, Class C, E and G requirements. 

Click Here to purchase your Pink Hard Hat.

Pink Handi Klip™ by Glove Guard®

 VPPStore is bringing you the  Handi Klip™ in Pink by Glove Guard®.  The Handi Klip™ features the Standard VPP Logo or OSHA VPP Logo.  Keep your gloves close at hand and safe. 

$3.99 each
Minimum order: 25 pieces
Price includes one color logo in black

Click Hereto purchase your Pink Handi Klip™

Awareness Women’s Stretch Polo

In honor of of Breast Cancer Awareness month, a portion of the proceeds from this product will be donated to help fight breast cancer!

$28.50 each
Minimum order: 6 pieces

Click Here to purchase your Awareness Polo

Show your support for a cause and for your safety program!

The VPPStore Team

To start off learning about the VPP Personal concierge, I encourage you to watch the  Adventures in Safety Promotion episode on the VPP Personal Concierge.

If you have read it, and have more questions, please view a new presentation outlining how the program works.

To order your very own Personal Concierge, take a look at our VPP online store and buy one today or call 800-868-7018 with any questions!

Glove Guard and Utility Guard

VPPStore is now proud to carry Glove Guard® products! The Glove Guard® is a simple yet useful tool that keeps your safety gloves close for those times when you need them. It reduces glove replacement costs by preventing workers from leaving gloves lying around and picking up new ones when they can’t find them.  It also reduces hand injuries by making it easy for workers to grab gloves before doing a potentially dangerous job.

Read how the Glove Guard® has worked for others:

• Use of the Glove Guard® products reduce direct and indirect costs associated with hand injuries.  If personal protective equipment is available, it will be used.

“Use of the Glove Guard® has enabled us to far surpass our initial expectations.  It has become as common as hard hats and safety glasses.  Recordable hand injuries have been reduced by as much as 86%.” Exxon Polymers Group

• Use of the Glove Guard® products reduces glove replacement cost, cost associated with environmental clean up, and the patented break-away provides a level of reduced liability.

“In the last three months, about 80% of the glove replacement cost is due to lost or misplaced gloves, your product will help greatly reduce that number.”  Unilever HPC

• Use of the Glove Guard® products along with a company’s safety program incentive combines the dollars spent with a tool that will actually help accomplish the safety goals.

Major companies are using the Glove Guard® products as safety incentives with their company logo, their safety program’s slogan, or one of the Standard Safety Slogans to get the safety message across while providing a tool to accomplish the safety goal and reduce glove replacement costs.

Take a look at the Glove Guard® on our webstore and start cost savings and injury prevention today!

Safety Sam and Safety Sally are in San Antonio gearing up for the 2009 VPPPA National Conference.  Follow them in Episode: VPP Personal Concierge where they use their concierge card to locate the best steak in town and grab some tickets to the Astros game all with the help of their very own VPP Personal Concierge.

So Why Use The Concierge Card To Promote Your Safety Program?

This card has got to be the most interactive and personalized item on the market.  With that being said, what can it do for your safety program?  This card comes in several designs to illustrate your achievements in VPP whether you just received your first certification, are celebrating your completion of a recertification, or awarded Star Among Stars.

But it doesn’t end there.  Your employees’ session with the VPP Personal Concierge is completely customizable. Perhaps you want the VPP Personal Concierge to close with a congratulatory message thanking your employees for their hard work in achieving Star Status.  This is one cool way to express your appreciation and remind your safety team of their dedication to the program.

How Does It Work?

Upon purchasing the card, you decide how many minutes you want (5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90).  You will also want to think about how you want to personalize the greeting and closing messages; Your VPPStore Customer Care Team will take you step by step in setting this all up for you.

When you hand the cards out, each card will have an instruction sheet and a unique ID#.  The card holder will be instructed to register their card to their cell phone online using the ID#.  This allows the VPP Personal Concierge to personally greet the card holder by recognizing the cell phone #.

The card holder then can use the services by asking ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.  Want to know what the weather will be like in a city you plan to travel to?  Need to know the stats on the game you missed last night?  How about scheduling a reminder to have the VPP Personal Concierge call you so you don’t forget an important event or meeting?

Please call 800-868-7018 to speak with a VPPStore Customer Care Team Member to learn more about the VPP Personal Concierge Card or check them out on our Online Catalog.

The VPPStore Team