Archive

Professionals Honored for Safety, Health Achievements

Sept. 8, 2000

Eleven individuals were recognized for workplace safety and health excellence by the VPPPA during its national conference last week in Seattle, Wash.

EHS Today Staff

Doug Thomas of Milliken and Co., Humphrey Plant, in Toccoa, Ga., was recognized by the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants'' Association (VPPPA) for his outstanding health and safety outreach activities.

He was among 11 individuals recognized for workplace safety and health excellence by the VPPPA during the opening session of the annual national conference, Aug. 28 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle, Wash.

The Safety and Health Outreach Achievement Award is an opportunity for hourly, non-safety and health professionals at VPPPA member sites to be recognized for their knowledge of safety and health issues, and for their Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) outreach efforts within their worksites and communities.

The award winners are required to complete program criteria set by the VPPPA.

As the safety coordinator at the Humphrey plant, Thomas is responsible for many aspects of safety and health training, including safety orientation for newly-hired employees and site visitors.

He has served as chairperson of the environmental, ergonomics and quality safety process committees and has made numerous benchmarking trips to share safety and health best practices with sites interested in the VPP.

Other award recipients honored during the conference are:

VPP Outreach Award -- Individual Category: Jim Lees, GE Inspection and Repair Services, Dallas, Texas; Ron Mauermann, Fort James Corp., Green Bay, Wis.; Linda Williamson, ExxonMobil Pipeline Co., Hull, Texas; and Leroy Counts, International Paper, Vicksburg, Mo.
VPPPA Innovation Award -- Individual Category: Kent Lang, Potlatch Corp., Lewiston, Idaho.
VPPPA Safety and Health Achievement Award: Kyra Kimmeth, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.; Daniel Olson, GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wis.; Joseph Osweld, GE Engine Services, Hamilton, Ohio; and Lynn Poland, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.

Nearly 1,800 people attended the four-day VPPPA conference, including hourly employees, safety and health managers, occupational safety and health professionals and government personnel.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.