Wheelabrator Bridgeport, a waste-to-energy facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is doing its part to keep the lights on by generating electricity for the New England power grid. Back in 2005, this hardworking facility first earned a coveted “star level” designation from OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). And guess what? They’ve done it again! Just this week, following an evaluation in August 2022, OSHA renewed the status for this site, which employs around 70 dedicated workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has once again renewed Wheelabrator Bridgeport’s “Star Level” designation for workplace safety and health achievements, a distinction the facility has proudly maintained since 2005. The Bridgeport, Connecticut, site is a waste-to-energy facility that generates electricity for the New England power grid. The facility’s dedication to safety and health is a testament to the importance of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and the effectiveness of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
OSHA first recognized the Wheelabrator Bridgeport facility as a “Star” site in 2005. This title represents the highest level of recognition offered by the agency’s Voluntary Protection Programs. The latest VPP star renewal came following an onsite evaluation in August 2022, conducted by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.
The VPP initiative recognizes and promotes effective worksite-based safety and health management systems. It brings together management, labor, and OSHA in cooperative relationships at workplaces with comprehensive safety and health management systems in place. By participating in the VPP, employers and employees demonstrate their commitment to creating exemplary worksite safety and health management systems. OSHA’s official approval into VPP serves as a recognition of these outstanding efforts.
OSHA Regional Administrator Galen Blanton, based in Boston, highlighted the Wheelabrator Bridgeport facility’s continued dedication to workplace safety and health. Blanton said, “The site focuses on preventing recognized hazards in the waste-to-energy industry, including falls, electrical, and struck-by injuries.” This proactive approach is a key component of the facility’s success in maintaining a safe work environment.
The VPP recognizes employers and workers in the private industry and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems. These organizations also maintain injury and illness rates below the national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. VPP participants work cooperatively and proactively with OSHA and labor to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. This is achieved through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training, management commitment, and worker involvement.
To join the VPP, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. For applicants represented by a bargaining unit, union support is required. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to maintain their status in the programs. Additionally, while they maintain their VPP status, participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections.
Wheelabrator Bridgeport’s continued “Star Level” designation serves as a shining example of how a strong commitment to safety and health can lead to outstanding results. It also showcases the value of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs in fostering a culture of safety excellence. The Bridgeport facility’s achievements demonstrate that when management, labor, and OSHA work together in support of workplace safety and health, everyone benefits. The safety of employees is of paramount importance, and Wheelabrator Bridgeport’s dedication to upholding the highest safety standards is a testament to its commitment to protecting its workforce and maintaining a secure work environment.
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