Attleboro, MA Post Office attains OSHA VPP Star Status

On Friday, November 21, 2008, Attleboro, MA postal employees will become the latest to celebrate their induction into the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) at the STAR level.   The official VPP flag will be presented by OSHA to the employees during a special ceremony. The flag, which will be flown outside of the Post Office building, will symbolize the dedication and commitment these employees have to work safely.

OSHA created this program to recognize and encourage excellence in occupational safety and health protection. According to OSHA, requirements for participation are based on comprehensive management systems with employees actively involved in anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling the potential safety and health hazards at the site. Postal facilities considering recognition for OSHA's premier program must demonstrate successful safety and health programs and be in the forefront of employee protection while in compliance with OSHA criteria.

“It took the involvement and commitment of every single employee to make this happen,” Postmaster Tony Mecketsy explained. “Attleboro’s accident/injury record was far below the industry average, so we were poised to strive for the VPP STAR status.”   Supervisor, Customer Services Diane Gagne added, "The Attleboro Post Office has an active Safety and Health Committee that meets each month to improve upon the quality of the program.  Our VPP Coordinator Christine Harnois and all of our employees really care about the safety and well being of their coworkers and it shows in our great safety record."  At the end of the 3 day audit the Attleboro Post Office was praised by the OSHA auditors for the local program. 

The process begins with a mutually signed agreement by labor and management to work toward VPP. It took Attleboro only one year from that signing to accomplish their goal. An OSHA team then verified eligibility in a comprehensive audit.  Of particular interest to the team is a strong cooperative relationship between labor and management. The audit team cited 3 "best practices" as part of the rationale behind the acceptance of the Attleboro Post Office into the program. One noteworthy “best practice” is the relationship between the Post Office and City Hall.  Mayor Kevin Dumas and his staff have been extremely supportative and pro-active in helping the Post Office employees abate safety hazards within the community. Mecketsy affirms that it is this cooperative effort that has contributed significantly to their overall safety record. Furthermore, The staff at the Attleboro Post Office has an open door policy with City Hall and encourages close communication, permitting them to deal with safety concerns before they become problems or cause injury.

The Southeast New England Postal District now has five postal facilities that have become VPP Star sites:  Middleboro/Lakeville Post Office (MA), Pawtucket Post Office (RI),  Cape Cod Processing & Distribution Facility (MA), West Warwick Post Office (RI) and Attleboro Post Office (MA).