According to a report this past week by The Daily News, Iron Mountain, Mich., USA, the Verso Paper Corp. (Memphis, Tenn.) Quinnesec mill has earned its fifth straight Star award for workplace safety and health, the highest rating available from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

The award from the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program certifies the mill, which employs 430 in producing printing and specialty papers and pulp, has "an exemplary safety and health management system with injury and illness incidence rates below the industry average for the last three years," according to MIOSHA.

"MIOSHA is proud to again recognize a company for going above and beyond MIOSHA standards," said MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder.

The Quinnesec mill (pictured above) has earned state recognition for workplace safety for the fifth straight year. The mill has received the highest rating from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). Verso was lauded for "going above and beyond MIOSHA standards" in receiving the worker safety award.

In a statement, the mill's safety leader credited the entire staff with helping to maintain such high standards for five years.

"MVPP recertification would not be possible without a commitment to safety improvement owned by everyone at the mill site," said Boyd Morstad of the Quinnesec mill. "New initiatives, engaged employees, and a sound process that assesses progress and identifies gaps all contribute to the continuous improvement of our site's safety."

The MVPP assists companies by providing a mechanism and criteria to evaluate safety and health management, so MVPP participants can develop practices that exceed MIOSHA standards.

In addition to the award Verso received, MVPP offers a Rising Star program as a "stepping stone" for establishments to achieve Star status in 1-3 years. Current Star sites can mentor those other companies on improving their workplace safety and health procedures.