www.agc.org • September 2013

Safway Team Celebrates Elite Cal/OSHA VPP Star Status

On July 18, 2013, a formal award ceremony was held to recognize the access and industrial services team from the Safway Services Benicia Branch. Working onsite at the Valero Benicia Refinery, the company earned Cal/OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status once again.

In 2009, Safway Services, a member of multiple AGC chapters, became the first subcontractor in California to earn VPP Star status, the highest level of safety recognition available. VPP sets performance-based criteria for safety and health systems. Sites then establish cooperative relationships between management, labor and OSHA to help assure safe and healthful working conditions.

At the formal award ceremony recognizing Safway’s achievement, Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson noted that the city was home to three VPP Star status companies: the Valero Benicia Refinery, Safway Services and Guarantee Electrical. She put their achievement in context by noting that among the 1.8 million businesses in California, only 75 hold VPP Star status.

In addition, the office of Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla presented Safway with a certificate of recognition from the California legislature during the event. Other dignitaries attending the ceremony included those from the office of State Senator Lois Wolk, the office of Congressman Mike Thompson, the U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA, Cal/OSHA, VPP, the Valero Benicia Refinery and Guarantee Electrical.

"This success belongs to the access and industrial team members who have embedded safety into their daily routine," says Safway Group President and CEO Bill Hayes. "By working together as a family and watching out for each other, everyone is able to go home safely at the end of the day. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Valero for their support and their own excellent safety and health systems."

Cal/OSHA reserves Star status for employers and employees who demonstrate exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of occupational safety and health hazards. They must also develop, implement and demonstrate continuous improvement of their safety and health management system.

A formal award ceremony attended by local and California state dignitaries recognized Safway Services Benicia Branch for retaining its elite Cal/OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. Those present included (L-R) John Hill, vice president & general manager, Valero Benicia Refinery; Lisa Trecartin, U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA; Ken Hoehn, Guarantee Electric superintendent; Iraj Pourmehraban, VPP area manager; Maria Ilomin, Safway industrial manager & trainer – Western Division (and also VPP special team member Cal/OSHA); Mike Evans, Guarantee Electric VPP coordinator; Jeff McDermott, Safway project manager; Elizabeth Patterson, mayor of Benicia; Bill Hayes, Safway group president and CEO; Tomi Van De Brooke, district director from the office of Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla; Lisa Chavez, district director from the office of Sen. Lois Wolk; Lisa Matta, district manager, Cal/OSHA and Rick Ullerich, senior safety engineer, Cal/OSHA.

About Safway Group
With more than 90 locations in the U.S. and Canada and a growing system of distributors worldwide, Safway Group companies deliver efficient, high-performance multiservice solutions – The Smart Way™ – by collaborating, communicating and sharing resources. Offering experience and expertise in access, scaffolding, insulation, fireproofing, surface preparation and coatings, Safway Group companies include CL Coatings; Industrial Coatings & Fireproofing; Redi Insulation; Safway Atlantic; Safway Services; Safway Services Canada; and Swing Staging. With the largest engineering staff, an exclusive project management system, award-winning safety excellence and a full line of products and services, Safway Group companies design and implement innovative, quality solutions at the lowest installed cost for projects of any size and scope. Safway has been an industry leader since 1936. Safway Group companies serve the petrochemical, oil and gas, power, refining, marine, manufacturing, transportation and commercial construction industries worldwide. For more information about Safway Group, visit: http://www.safwaygroup.com/.