Company Website:
http://aps.com
PHOENIX -- (Business Wire)
The Arizona
Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) has recertified
the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station with its Voluntary Protection
Program (VPP) STAR designation.
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The nation’s largest nuclear power plant – which was first certified
with VPP STAR status in 2013 and designated as one of Arizona’s safest
industrial workplaces – was again recognized for demonstrating “above
and beyond” Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
standards in the state of Arizona.
“The employees and management at APS and Palo Verde have continually
demonstrated that they take safety seriously at all levels of their
organization and worksite,” ADOSH Assistant Director Jessie Atencio
said, while lauding the plant’s workforce for its leadership,
communication, craftsmanship and accountability. “Palo Verde possesses
an organizational culture with employees and management all working
together to ensure injuries and illnesses do not happen.”
VPP is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA)
highest program of recognition across the United States. 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 that are more than 50 percent below the
national average.
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.
“It is clear that our core values and behaviors result from a
commitment by all Palo Verde employees and contractors to emphasize
safety over competing goals,” said Bob
Bement, Palo Verde Senior Vice President, Operations. “And when we
say ‘safety,’ we are collectively referring to nuclear, industrial,
radiological and safety culture. Every nuclear professional is involved
in activities and decisions that impact their safety and the safety of
their teammates. We’re proud to accomplish VPP STAR status and remain
committed to sustaining this high level of safety performance.”
Recently appointed Director of the Industrial Commission James Ashley
added, “This is an example of how the government can work with,
and not against, the business community to help them increase workplace
safety and decrease costs.”
Palo Verde is operated by APS and jointly owned by APS,
Salt River Project, Southern California Edison Co., El Paso Electric
Co., Public Service Co. of New Mexico, Southern California Public Power
Authority and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. The plant’s
three units can generate more than 4 million kilowatts of safe, clean,
reliable, low-cost electricity every hour – enough to serve about 4
million people. In addition to the energy produced, Palo Verde has an
estimated annual economic impact of $1.8 billion in Arizona through
taxes, salaries, purchases of materials and services, and more.
APS,
Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electric utility, serves nearly
1.2 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With
headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle
West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160205005590/en/
Contacts:
APS
Alan Bunnell, 602-250-3376
aps.com/newsroom
or
Industrial
Commission of Arizona
Bob Charles, 602-542-4411
ica.state.az.us/default.aspx
Source: APS
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