Huntsman Corporation Facility Wins Another Michigan VPP Star Award
"As a team, we're delighted to have secured STAR status once again," said Pete Panourgias, EHS manager at the Auburn Hills site. "The fact that we've held this accolade without a break for 15 years is a testimony to the dedication of our management and the efforts of each and every member of our team."
The Huntsman Corporation facility in Auburn Hills, Mich., for the fifth consecutive time has been awarded the state's highest workplace safety and health award, the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program Star Award from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as MIOSHA.
"Congratulations to Huntsman, one of our longest-standing MVPP participants," MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said June 5. "For the last 15 years, Huntsman has consistently demonstrated its commitment to operating a safe working environment and mentoring other companies toward achievement of their outstanding safety and health management systems. I commend the entire Huntsman team for its vigorous participation and longevity in the MVPP program."
There are two levels of recognition in the MVPP, Rising Star and Star. Huntsman was awarded the Rising Star in 2002. The company received MVPP Star approval in 2004 and was recertified in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. The MVPP Star is given to companies that both implement protections beyond MIOSHA requirements and have injury and illness rates below the industry average for the past three years. The site is exempt from programmed inspections for three years.
According to MIOSHA, Huntsman's best practices include:
- Environmental Health and Safety self-audit program of EHS procedures
- Training and safety orientation for new hires during the first six months of employment
- Job Safety and Health Analysis program that addresses the safe operation of 170 maintenance, machine hall, laboratory, and warehouse activities
"As a team, we're delighted to have secured STAR status once again," said Pete Panourgias, EHS manager at the Auburn Hills site. "The fact that we've held this accolade without a break for 15 years is a testimony to the dedication of our management and the efforts of each and every member of our team."
The site employs more than 80 people. The facility develops polyurethane-based products for the automotive, adhesives, coatings, elastomers, footwear, and furniture industries.