News Release
US Department of Labor recognizes SNF Polychemie Inc. with ‘Star’ level designation for exemplary workplace safety programs at Illinois location
WHO: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
SNF Polychemie Inc., Dolton, Illinois
WHAT: OSHA Voluntary Protection Program site-based, star-level designation
BACKGROUND: OSHA has recognized the safety and health programs maintained by SNF Polychemie Inc., an Illinois chemical manufacturing site, with the agency’s star-level designation in its Voluntary Protection Program. Employing about 11 workers in Dolton, the company produces and distributes acrylamide-based and water-soluble polymers used in wastewater treatment at municipal and industrial facilities.
The manufacturer has adopted “the essential eight,” standardized rules that contribute to safe operational practices by setting clear and simple “dos” and “don’ts” for activities with the highest potential safety risk. SNF employees engage in safe start observations, routine inspections, hazard reviews, process hazard and job safety analysis and reviews of standard operating procedures. SNF employees also meet for emergency response drills and incidents to discuss lessons learned, corrective actions and best practices.
“SNF Polychemie has met the stringent evaluation to be designated a Voluntary Protection Program site by demonstrating their commitment to safety and their involvement of everyone from entry-level employees to management in setting the standards to work safely every day,” explained OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago. “VPP programs recognize employers and workers with effective safety and health programs and injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries.”
OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs promote effective safety and health by creating cooperative relationships between labor, management and OSHA at workplaces with comprehensive safety and health management systems. VPP designation is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts by employers and employees to achieve exemplary occupational safety and health.
SNF Polychemie is part of the SNF Holding Company of Riceboro, Georgia, which is a subsidiary of SNF Group of France. The company employs 7,500 people worldwide and about 2,000 in the U.S.
