St. Louis - Fenton postal employees have earned the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) "Star" award. Their commitment to safety and health makes the Fenton Post Office the first post office in a five-state region of the U.S. Postal Service to earn the recognition resulting from participation in VPP. A ceremony held April 4 at the post office recognized Fenton postal employees for their achievement and commitment to an effective safety and health program.

Fenton Officer-in-Charge Phil Griffith credited his employees for the program's success. He said, "Attaining VPP status requires the buy-in and involvement from every employee. Fenton postal employees made this happen."

OSHA Director Bill McDonald and St Louis County Executive Charles Dooley joined postal executives, Great Lakes Area Vice President Jo Ann Feindt and Gateway District Manager Danita Aquiningoc in honoring Fenton employees for their achievement.

The Star Program is designed for worksites with a comprehensive and successful safety and health management system. Participants are selected based on their written safety and health management program to identify, evaluate, prevent, and control occupational hazards to prevent employee illnesses and injuries.

"VPP is a roadmap to safety excellence," said Griffith. "Fenton postal employees have shown that commitment to a comprehensive safety and health program benefits the employee and the organization."

"Fenton is a role model for other Post Offices in the district," said District Manager Danita Aquiningoc. "Fenton employees cultivate an excellent safety environment consistent with the high quality of OSHA VPP."

Fenton became the 93rd postal VPP site in the nation in September, 2006, when it was recommended for participation in VPP process following an onsite evaluation of the Post Office.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.