Hispanic TV Station Earns 'Estrella de OSHA' for Safety
Telemundo KVDA-TV 60 in San Antonio, Texas, has earned membership in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) at the star ("estrella"), or highest, level for achieving three years of excellence in employee health and safety. The station, which employs 21 workers at the San Antonio location, is owned by the NBC Universal Inc. division of the General Electric Co. The company has implemented a comprehensive employee safety and health management system in accordance with VPP standards, OSHA said.
"Telemundo KVDA-TV 60 is the nation's first broadcaster of Hispanic programming to earn VPP star recognition," said OSHA's Region VI Administrator Dean W. McDaniel. "The station's outstanding efforts include zero injuries and illnesses over the past three years."
The station joins more than 2,160 worksites nationwide, representing more than 270 industries, that have earned entry into OSHA's VPP. Requirements include a high degree of management commitment and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control program; 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 VPP. OSHA says companies in VPP achieve average injury and illness rates 50 percent below the Bureau of Labor Statistics average for other companies in their respective industries.