The Arizona Div. of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) Consultation Department named the City of Chandler Airport Water Reclamation Facility a “STAR Site” through the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
McCarthy Building Companies, a Phoenix-based general contractor, is currently managing a large-scale expansion project at the site, taking the facility from a 15-million-gal-per-day (mgd) wastewater treatment plant to 22 mgd.
The $105-million project, located at 905 E. Queen Creek Road in Chandler, is slated for completion in September 2014. Companies and jobsites that are awarded the STAR designation demonstrate exemplary and comprehensive safety and health management systems. This marks the first city of Chandler owned facility to receive STAR designation by ADOSH.
VPP is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) highest program of safety recognition across all United States OSHA organizations. It recognizes employers and workers in private and federal workplaces who have exemplified effective safety and health management systems to achieve injury and illness rates more than 50% below the national average.
“The Chandler Airport Wastewater Treatment Facility is a great example of a safe working environment,” said Jessie Atencio, assistant director and consultation and training program manager for ADOSH. “Their team should be proud to be the first wastewater treatment facility in the state to be recognized as a VPP site.”
To qualify for VPP status, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo an onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. VPP participants and sites earning the “STAR Site” designation are re-evaluated every three to five years in order to remain in the program. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status.
“McCarthy’s detailed planning has allowed the project to thrive during the construction and execution of high risk tie-in and bypass activities,” said John Pinkston, wastewater facilities superintendent for the city of Chandler. “Safety is the highest priority for McCarthy. Their safety record is outstanding and results in a safe workplace for City of Chandler employees.”
Currently, 34 Arizona companies are VPP “Stars”. McCarthy is one of only three general contractors to receive this safety recognition in Arizona.
Source: McCarthy Building Cos. Inc.
