Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, reports that its Cascades Sonoco facility in Tacoma, Wash., was awarded Star Level certification in connection with OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The Star Program recognizes exemplary worksites that have achieved injury and illness rates at or below the national average in their industry. According to OSHA, the average VPP worksite has a lost workday incidence rate at least 50% below the average of its industry peers.

 

"Since the inception of the Cascades Sonoco joint venture back in 1992, safety has been a number-one priority," said Thomas Parenteau, plant manager. "We have a global health and safety policy put in writing, and it is signed by our CEOs. It says the health and safety of all employees shall be of the greatest interest to all levels of the organization, ranking in importance above production, quality, costs, and service. It is something that we take very seriously because our employees are our most valuable asset. Achieving this certification involved a number of different initiatives including special training programs, safety audits, and a high level of employee involvement and commitment. Safety is not a one-time event; it is an every second, every minute, every day focus. As proud as we are of this achievement, we understand the safety journey never ends."

 

Cascades Sonoco is a 50/50 joint venture established in 1992 to bring together strong technology platforms for the coating and lamination of industrial papers and other substrates. Cascades Sonoco has four locations: two in the U.S. and two in Canada.