BWC Terminals recently received the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for its Grays Harbor facility in Hoquiam, Washington.
BWC’s Texas City, Texas location also earned the prestigious acknowledgement in 2016, the company reported.
The Star certification is the highest level of recognition within OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program. It acknowledges workplaces that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in preventing and controlling occupational safety and health hazards. VPP Star sites have implemented and continuously improved effective safety and health management systems, resulting in injury and illness rates below the national average.
“We are incredibly proud to receive the VPP Star certification for our Grays Harbor facility,” BWC CEO Adam Smith said in a news release. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who prioritize safety and maintain a healthy workplace for all our employees and key stakeholders across every aspect of our operations.”
The VPP certification process is rigorous and thorough, involving detailed evaluations and on-site audits by OSHA experts, along with extensive employee surveys to ensure a strong safety-first culture. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the program.
BWC also earned two other prestigious safety accolades in the last month, including the national AEU Safety Award and the International Liquid Terminals Association’s Safety Excellence Award.
BWC’s Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) policy is fundamental to the sustainability of the company’s operations. Its systems, policies, and procedures address both routine and emergency situations to effectively manage risks, threats, and incidents. Safety is integrated into the company culture through ongoing training and the empowerment of employees, and it is reinforced by management to achieve industry-leading results, the company reported.