News

June 13, 2007

Foster Wheeler Martinez Receives CAL/OSHA VPP Star Status

On December 1, 2006 the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) awarded the agency's prestigious Voluntary Protection Program (Cal/VPP) Star status to Foster Wheeler Martinez, Inc., a Cogeneration facility located in Martinez, CA. Foster Wheeler Martinez is part of the Power Systems Group (PGI), a division of Foster Wheeler North America Corp. Foster Wheeler Martinez is only the forty-third workplace in the state of California to hold this status.

To celebrate this achievement, Foster Wheeler Martinez, Inc. will be hosting a "flag raising" ceremony and dinner on Thursday June 21, 2007. The company will start by hosting a plant tour at 2:30 PM. The celebration will continue with a reception and dinner at the Concord Hilton commencing at 6:00 PM. Any Contra Costa Industrial Association members wishing to attend should contact Sandy Wells at (925) 313-0800.

In the Voluntary Protection Program, management, labor, and Cal/OSHA work together to implement safety programs and processes that protect workers more effectively than simply complying with OSHA regulations. The program also recognizes participants for their dedication to safety excellence. The highest award offered by Cal/VPP, the Star certification (Cal/STAR) is reserved for participants that exceed Cal/OSHA standards, thereby making them models for their industry.

Cal/VPP requirements include: management commitment, employee involvement, work site analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training. The applicant submits documents to support the implementation of Cal/VPP requirements. When the results of the onsite evaluation by Cal/VPP team are satisfactory, the achievement certificate is awarded. Continued participation in the Cal/STAR program is contingent upon favorable annual injury and illness reports, annual program evaluation, and triennial re-evaluation.

According to Cal/OHSA, companies that have achieved VPP status have indicated several advantages including: recognition, increased employee involvement, improved quality and productivity, partnership with government, reduction in injuries and illnesses, and exemption from routine Cal/OSHA compliance inspections.

Foster Wheeler Martinez personnel worked diligently for over two years to complete the rigorous process of achieving the Cal/VPP Star status. The process involved performing a top-down review of all safety procedures and practices in the plant. A VPP "mentor" was assigned to the facility to assist in identifying areas for improvement prior to the onsite evaluation. As a result of this thorough self-evaluation prior to the onsite evaluation, the facility had a relatively short list of action items resulting from the evaluation. After prompt completion of the action items, the facility was issued a letter of congratulations welcoming them as a Cal/STAR participant in the Cal/VPP program.

The facility wishes to thank the following persons and agencies for their assistance in achieving our goal:

• Cal/OSHA and the staff of the VPP Unit, including Iraj Pourmehraban and Barry Blodgett
• Site mentor Walter Gonzales of GE Cardinal Cogeneration
• Site Evaluation team member Chris Dembiczak of East Bay Municipal Utility District
• Safety Consultant Michael Norder
• Foster Wheeler Power Systems and Global Safety Health and Environmental Group management for their commitment to achieving the highest standards of safety performance