Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-615-DAL
Friday, June 12, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

Naval Health Clinic in Corpus Christi, Texas, achieves U.S. Labor Department's OSHA recognition for safety and health excellence

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Naval Health Clinic in Corpus Christi has earned membership in the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the star, or highest, level for achieving three years of excellence in employee health and safety.

"Naval Health Clinic is the first Department of Defense military treatment facility to achieve VPP star status," said OSHA Regional Administrator Dean W. McDaniel in Dallas. "The team has demonstrated excellence in effective safety and health management by maintaining an injury and illness rate 96 percent below the national average for this industry."

Michael J. Rivera, OSHA's area director in Corpus Christi, attended today's recognition ceremony at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi.

The clinic has approximately 170 Navy enlisted personnel working alongside 144 civilian employees who provide outpatient medical care for active duty and retired military personnel and their families. The clinic also provides general physician care, dental services, radiology, lab diagnostics, optometry, pharmacy services and physical therapy.

More than 2,160 worksites representing about 270 industries nationwide 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 the VPP. Companies in the VPP achieve average injury and illness rates 50 percent below the Bureau of Labor Statistics average for other companies in their respective industries.

OSHA has improved workplace safety and health over the past 38 years. This success is reflected in the latest data (2007) showing the lowest national injury and illness incidence rate that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has ever recorded. OSHA will continue to work diligently to focus its resources where they will have the most impact in assuring that every working man and woman returns home safely every day.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.