Safety as a Value in Manufacturing: Kimberly-Clark Invited to Speak at National Conference for Government Labor Officials
As a recognized leader in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) for Kentucky, Kimberly-Clark was selected to speak during the National Association of Government Labor Officials (NAGLO) annual conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 26-29.
At the conference, Pam Dickens, Kimberly-Clark’s safety leader for the Owensboro, Ky., mill shared the company’s perspective as a Star Mentor in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and how implementing a strong EHS (Environmental, Health and Safety) Management System sustains a culture of safety, not only for the company but as a mentor organization for other manufacturing operations in the state.
“I shared Owensboro’s safety journey to hopefully inspire others to work with their state and with OSHA to eliminate hazards that put employees at risk,” said Dickens. “We all have the same goal: we want our employees to be able to go home to their families because they work safely every day.”
VPP is designed for exemplary worksites with comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems. The Owensboro mill has achieved injury and illness rates at or below the national average within their respective industry.
Dickens spoke to U.S. and state leaders responsible for overseeing laws surrounding the workplace and specifically how a culture of safety aided by the VPP process creates an exceptional workplace.
“The thoroughness of the VPP audit allowed us to see hazards differently, and prioritize and close safety gaps,” said Dickens. “We had 10 outside OSHA inspectors work with our own team to identify these gaps – new perspectives always improve EHS performance. The VPP process has made the mill a better local employer. ”
The Owensboro mill produces Scott Brand rolled and folded hand towels, jumbo roll bath tissue, Scott individually wrapped bath tissue, and Kleenex Facial Tissue for the Kimberly-Clark Professional business in North America.
Learn more:
http://www.naglo.org/index.html
http://www.kcprofessional.com/home
