Firestone Building Products Company, LLC Salt Lake City Plant Achieves Voluntary Protection Program Star StatusFacility recognized by the Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Jan. 20, 2010) -The Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division (Utah OSHA) has awarded the Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (FSBP) Salt Lake City plant Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status for outstanding performance in the area of worker health and safety. The Salt Lake City facility becomes the eighth plant in the Bridgestone Americas family of companies to earn this prestigious OSHA recognition.
“This recognition is a testament to our teammates’ commitment to both safety and excellence,” said Ken Weaver, Chairman, CEO and President of Firestone Diversified Products Company, LLC, FSBP’s parent company. “The Salt Lake City plant and its teammates have demonstrated outstanding teamwork and spirit in order to achieve this VPP Star status, and their efforts are truly commendable. They are very deserving of this honor.”
The OSHA VPP Star award is given to companies that have a comprehensive safety and health management system with injury rates below the industry’s national average. As a Star participant, the Salt Lake City facility has designed and implemented outstanding safety and health processes that have met the qualifications of Utah OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program.
“Firestone Building Products’ qualification for one of Utah OSHA’s premier recognition programs is a testament to the efforts that management and workers have made to develop and implement a VPP-quality safety and health management system,” noted Louis M. Silva, Utah OSHA Administrator. “They have joined an elite group of organizations that provide exemplary occupational safety and health protection and serve as models for others.”
The selection of the Salt Lake City plant for the VPP Star award was based on a detailed application and a rigorous on-site review and evaluation by a team of safety and health specialists from Utah OSHA. Some aspects of the facility’s program that were identified by Utah OSHA as best practices at the plant include its automated wrapper/robots that eliminated repetitive motions, industrial hygiene sampling strategy, housekeeping program and fork lift fork/pole change-out apparatus.
“To obtain VPP Star recognition is a tremendous achievement for our teammates,” said Salt Lake City Plant Manager Michael McCrea. “It’s satisfying to know all the hard work and long hours that our team put into making this happen have paid off. To be one of the safest manufacturing facilities in the nation is something in which we all can take great pride.”
Teammates and their families, community leaders, Utah OSHA and company representatives celebrated the honor with a recognition ceremony, ceremonial flag raising and luncheon. Guests were also given a tour of the facility.
“The Salt Lake City plant is just one example of our company’s commitment to health and safety,” said Bridgestone Americas Safety and Health Vice President Bob Walker. “The company as a whole now has eight facilities that have earned this prestigious recognition, including the only three tire plants in the country, and that is something of which we are very proud.”
The Salt Lake City plant produces flat and tapered insulation for high performance roofing systems.
About Firestone Building Products Company, LLC:
Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (FSBP) is a leading manufacturer of EPDM, TPO, asphalt and metal roofing systems, polyiso insulation, and accessories for the commercial roofing industry. In addition to superior roofing products, FSBP offers installation expertise and product support through a technical services department and an international network of roofing contractors, distributors and field sales representatives. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., FSBP is a subsidiary of Firestone Diversified Products, LLC (FSDP). Visit the FSBP Web site at www.firestonebpco.com.
About Firestone Diversified Products, LLC:
Firestone Diversified Products, LLC (FSDP) is based in Indianapolis, Ind., and is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM). FSDP is responsible for BSAM’s non-tire businesses, including building and industrial products, natural rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.