Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-1110-DAL
Dec. 2, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

US Department of Labor's OSHA recognizes Raytheon Mission Capability and Verification Center for safety and health achievement

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. -- Raytheon Mission Capability and Verification Center (MCVC) at the White Sands Missile Range 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.

"Raytheon's MCVC has demonstrated excellence in effective safety and health management," said Dean W. McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "The company's outstanding efforts at this site include maintaining an injury and illness rate that is 76 percent below the national average for its industry."

Raytheon MCVC, a subsidiary of Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon Co., provides system operations and maintenance, missile processing for field surveillance, flight test, and Patriot As A Target, and also provides the necessary range interface for test plans and test management activities for on-range and environmental testing. Raytheon MCVC has been working and supporting operations at White Sands for about 52 years.

More than 2,200 worksites representing more than 300 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.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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