ConocoPhillips Kuparuk recertified for VPP

Petroleum News

ConocoPhillips Kuparuk has been renewed for the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Voluntary Protection Program at the “Star” level, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development said May 15.

The VPP recognizes “exemplary safety and health programs,” the department said.

“Employers who participate in the Voluntary Protection Program show a remarkably strong commitment to protecting the health and safety of their employees,” said Alaska Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas. “The department is pleased to recognize ConocoPhillips Kuparuk for their outstanding efforts in managing workplace safety and health.”

“We are proud to be recertified in the AKOSH VPP program as it provides independent assurance that we have an efficient safety and health management program that meets rigorous performance-based criteria,” Ty Maxey, Greater Kuparuk Area operations manager, said in a statement. “More importantly, achieving this level of safety and health excellence benefits all our workers who return home safer and healthier to their families and friends after completing their rotational assignments.”

Enforcement regulations remain in effect, but as a VPP Star recipient, ConocoPhillips is not subject to random enforcement inspections for five years.

VPP is a cooperative program between a company’s management, employees and AKOSH. Fewer than 2,300 U.S. worksites out of some 8 million covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have achieved VPP status, the department said.

There are nine sites in Alaska with the AKOSH VPP designation: Alaska Clean Seas; Arctic Slope Regional Corp. Energy Services grind and inject plant and oily water injection facility; BP Exploration (Alaska) - central power station; BP Exploration Alaska gas plants - central compression plant and gas facility; ConocoPhillips Alaska - Alpine field - Alp 15 - Alpine operations; ConocoPhillips Alaska Kuparuk Area; Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; Insulfoam Inc. (Premier Industries); and Utilities Inc.

- Petroleum News