Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting systems, is celebrating OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star recognition for its manufacturing facility at 71 Heater Road in Lebanon, NH. This recognition means all seven of Hypertherm’s New Hampshire manufacturing locations are now designated VPP Star worksites.
The United States Department of Labor’s OSHA VPP Program acknowledges organizations that have outstanding safety and health practices. Before receiving this honor, Hypertherm had to demonstrate a comprehensive safety and health management system involving Associates from all levels of the organization. In addition, Hypertherm had to submit detailed records and undergo rigorous 5-day evaluations by teams of OSHA professionals. The program also required that Hypertherm maintain injury and illness rates significantly below U.S. Government averages for their industry. For 2015, Hypertherm’s rate was less than two incidents per 100 full-time associates, compared with an industry average of more than four incidents per 100 workers.
About a hundred Hypertherm associates celebrated with OSHA representatives and dignitaries during a short ceremony and luncheon at Hypertherm’s newest VPP facility. Dignitaries included representatives from the State of New Hampshire, Governor Hassan’s office, and the offices of Senators Ayotte and Shaheen.
“Part of our mission at Hypertherm is to provide for the wellbeing of our Associates and this includes creating a culture that is focused on safety. Our ultimate goal is zero incidents,” explains Evan Smith, President and CEO of Hypertherm. “In order to focus our efforts, Hypertherm is fully committed to the goal of meeting and exceeding the requirements of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) for all of our manufacturing locations.”
Hypertherm designs and manufactures advanced cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes plasma, laser and waterjet cutting systems, in addition to CNC motion and height controls, CAM nesting software, robotic software and consumables. Hypertherm systems are trusted for performance and reliability that result in increased productivity and profitability for hundreds of thousands of businesses. The New Hampshire based company’s reputation for cutting innovation dates back nearly 50 years to 1968, with Hypertherm’s invention of water injection plasma cutting. The 100 percent associate owned company, consistently named a best place to work, has more than 1,400 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide.
