HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2002--At an award ceremony held today, two GE businesses located at the same Houston-area site received OSHA's highest honor for safety and health management, Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. The business units are GE Aero Energy Products and GE Aeroderivative and Package Services.
After a rigorous application and inspection process, OSHA notified the two GE businesses of the award in December of 2001. The VPP Star awards were presented today in a formal ceremony at the Jacintoport facility in Houston. Fewer than 800 out of approximately 6.5 million work sites throughout the United States have earned federal or state VPP Star recognition.
In a statement at the site, John Rice, President and CEO of GE Power Systems, said, We are very proud of both GE teams at this location, demonstrating again our dedication to improving environmental health and safety across all of our businesses. We will continue toward our ultimate goal of having all GE Power Systems sites earn VPP Star status.
About VPP
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) requires participating companies to implement and maintain comprehensive management systems with a high level of employee involvement to prevent and control potential safety and health hazards. Qualifying companies must meet OSHA safety standards and add their own, more stringent standards where necessary for effective employee protection. Participants must compile a three-year injury and illness rate that is below the national average for its industry to qualify for Star status.
To date, 65 GE sites representing 16 separate businesses have been approved or recommended for acceptance into federal or state OSHA programs.
GE Fund Award
During today's celebration at the GE facility, the GE Fund and the Houston Independent School District announced a $50,000 grant to J.W. Oates Elementary School in east Houston. The grant will help build a park, walking trail and playground on the Oates school campus as well as provide an outdoor classroom where students will learn about various forms of nature.
This partnership with GE is a wonderful opportunity for the Oates Elementary School community and HISD, said Principal Isabel Palacios. We are very proud to be the recipients of this grant that will aid in our children's education.
About GE Power Systems
GE Power Systems (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems with projected 2001 revenues exceeding $20 billion.
The business has the largest installed base of power generation equipment in the global energy industry. GE Power Systems provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, distributed power and energy rental industries.
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CONTACT: GE Power Systems
Michael Parker, 281/864-2752
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Masto Public Relations
Kathleen Schechner, 518/786-6488
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