Department of Labor Recognizes Hypertherm Plants

Four different facilities are named as OSHA VPP Star worksites for operating outstanding safety and health management systems for employee protection and exemplary campus safety.

The United States Department of Labor, along with New Hampshire and Vermont dignitaries, recently recognized an additional four Hypertherm (Lebanon, NH) facilities as OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Worksites at a company-wide flag raising ceremony in June.

Speakers included:

• Rosemarie Ohar, U.S. DOL OSHA New Hampshire Regional Administrator
• George Copadis, Commissioner of New Hampshire Employment Security, on behalf of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan
• Scott Merrick, Office of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
• Michael Ollen, Office of U.S. Representative Ann McLane Kuster (NH)
• Jenny Nelson, Office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (VT)
• Patricia Coates, U.S. Representative Peter Welsh (VT)
• Hypertherm associates including founder and chief executive officer Dick Couch

The Department of Labor’s VPP Star Program recognizes the very best workplaces in the nation for operating outstanding safety and health management systems for employee protection. It is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have created exemplary worksite safety and health management systems.

These worksites are self-sufficient in identifying and controlling workplace hazards. To be recognized as a VPP Star worksite, an employer must operate a comprehensive safety and health management system that is integrated into a worksite’s operations.

The four facilities recognized join two other worksites which received OSHA’s VPP Star recognition two years ago. Hypertherm’s recognition as having multiple “Star” Worksites is based on an integrated management systems approach to health and safety.

“The cornerstone of our program is Hypertherm’s culture which promotes associate involvement and teamwork at all levels of our organization,” said Hypertherm founder and chief executive officer Dick Couch. “All team members work together to design workplace enhancements that will improve the overall well-being of all Hypertherm associates with an ultimate goal of zero workplace accidents.”

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