A South Haven manufacturer has earned re-certification and recognition at the highest level possible for workplace safety and health…and it’s not the first time they’ve accomplished that incredible achievement.
Albemarle Corporation in South Haven has been awarded the state’s highest workplace safety and health award, the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award, from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Bart Pickelman is the Director at MIOSHA, and he says, “MIOSHA commends Albemarle Corporation for achieving star status for the second consecutive time.” Pickelman adds, “The agency is pleased to continue this cooperative relationship with the Albemarle team, whose commitment to worker health and safety protections exceeds what is required by MIOSHA standards.”
There are two levels of recognition in the MVPP. Albemarle first received its Rising Star award in April 2012, and subsequently was awarded its first Star award in November 2014. The MVPP Star is given to companies that both implement protections beyond MIOSHA requirements, and have injury and illness rates below the industry average for the last three years. The site is exempt from programmed inspections for three years.
Current Star sites are available to mentor other companies that have an interest and desire to improve their safety and health management system. Mentors inform, counsel, train, and strive to achieve excellence in safety and health through the MVPP.
Identifying best practices is integral to the MVPP continuous improvement process. Among the company’s best practices was the implementation of its “Walk the Line Program,” a joint program between health, safety and environmental, and manufacturing that helps ensure that chemicals stay in the pipe(s). During tailgate meetings, employees on the shift, along with the plant manager, operations manager, and safety manager perform walk downs of each process to ensure that all hoses are properly connected and that all valves are opened or closed as appropriate.
Ricky Coats serves as Plant Manager at Albemarle. Coats tells us, “Albemarle’s South Haven site is very proud to receive the re-certification of this prestigious mark of distinction,” adding, “The partnership we have been privileged to share with MIOSHA throughout this program has helped grow our behavior-based safety program into a world-class system.”
Albemarle manufactures intermediate and active pharmaceutical ingredients, food additives, and custom chemicals. The company also offers research and development services, a kilo lab, a pilot plant, and commercial manufacturing. Corporate headquarters for Albemarle are located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
