Howmet Whitehall receives MVPP star award from MIOSHA for workplace safety.

Honoring workplace safety and health excellence, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) presented the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award to the whitehall, Mich., facility of Howmet Castings (Alcoa Inc.), Cleveland.

"Achieving the MVPP Star Award is a significant milestone in our journey toward zero work-related injuries and environmental incidents," said Mike Pepper, Howmet vice president--aerospace. "The people of the Whitehall Operations have demonstrated their commitment to our core Alcoa values of continually improving our environment, health and safety performance and valuing human life above all else."

The Whitehall facility's incidence rates have been well below the Michigan average for its industry classification. Its Total Case Incidence Rate was 10.1 in 2001, 5.8 in 2002, and 4.4 in 2003--compared to 13.1 for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average during the last three years. Furthermore, the total Days Away/Restricted Cases (DART) Rate was near 3 for the last three years, whereas the BLS industry average is 7.7.

During the same time, the facility experienced a 71% reduction in recordable worker injuries and a 79% improvement in lost work days.

"National VPP sites experience 60-80% less lost work day injuries than would be expected of an average site in their industry," said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. "Not only does the MVPP program significantly reduce injuries and illnesses, but it also has a tremendous impact on the bottom line."