CAL/OSHA RECOGNIZES VENTURA DAIRY FOR ITS WORKPLACE SAFETY PROGRAM.

Ventura (CA) -- The following information was released by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR):

Cal/OSHA Consultation staff today presented the Dairy Farmers of America Inc. facility in Ventura with a California Voluntary Protection Program (Cal/VPP) Star Certificate. The facility is now among just 83 sites statewide that have qualified for the program and are considered leaders in the field of workplace safety and health.

The Cal/VPP Star is a certification program managed by Cal/OSHA Consultation, a division of the California Department of Industrial Relations. Cal/VPP Star recognizes employers and their employees who have voluntarily managed outstanding safety and health programs that go beyond minimal Cal/OSHA standards. Successful applicants approved for participation in Cal/VPP Star receive state and national recognition and are exempt from Cal/OSHA programmed inspections.

"Cal/OSHA promotes safety and health by recognizing employers who take a hands-on approach to changing the safety culture in their work environment," said DIR Director John C. Duncan. "The Ca/VPP Star is achieved only by those who represent the highest level of commitment to workplace safety and Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. has proven that they deserve this prestigious acknowledgement."

The DFA Ventura site worked for approximately two years preparing for the Cal/VPP evaluation. Safety measures taken by the company included improvements to electrical circuits, equipment safety upgrades including machine guarding, and installation of guardrails.

"Cal/VPP Star plays an important role in Cal/OSHA's mission of making safety an inherent part of the workplace environment," said Cal/OSHA Chief Len Welsh. "DFA Ventura has shown a commitment to continually improve their safety culture and we are honored to welcome them as a California leader for workplace safety and health."

"We are proud to join an elite group of worksites as a Cal/VPP Star," said Tim Hampshire, DFA Ventura Plant Manager. "It is a remarkable honor and a true testament to the effort we put into creating a work environment where our employees and our customers can be assured that safety is a top priority."

The Dairy Farmers of America Inc. Ventura site employs nearly 100 workers and produces bottled coffee beverages for retail distribution, including Starbuck's Frappuccino. The site receives raw materials that are blended into flavored coffee beverages. The Ventura site has been in operation since 1997.

For more information about the Voluntary Protection Program visit the Cal/OSHA website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_vpp/cal_vpp_index.html.

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DIR News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IR #2010-36

December 10, 2010

CONTACT:

Krisann Chasarik

Erika Monterroza

415-703-5050

Internet: www.dir.ca.gov

Cal/OSHA recognizes Ventura Dairy for its workplace safety program

Ventura (CA) - Cal/OSHA Consultation staff today presented the Dairy Farmers of America Inc. facility in Ventura with a California Voluntary Protection Program (Cal/VPP) Star Certificate. The facility is now among just 83 sites statewide that have qualified for the program and are considered leaders in the field of workplace safety and health.

The Cal/VPP Star is a certification program managed by Cal/OSHA Consultation, a division of the California Department of Industrial Relations. Cal/VPP Star recognizes employers and their employees who have voluntarily managed outstanding safety and health programs that go beyond minimal Cal/OSHA standards. Successful applicants approved for participation in Cal/VPP Star receive state and national recognition and are exempt from Cal/OSHA programmed inspections.

"Cal/OSHA promotes safety and health by recognizing employers who take a hands-on approach to changing the safety culture in their work environment," said DIR Director John C. Duncan. "The Ca/VPP Star is achieved only by those who represent the highest level of commitment to workplace safety and Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. has proven that they deserve this prestigious acknowledgement."

The DFA Ventura site worked for approximately two years preparing for the Cal/VPP evaluation. Safety measures taken by the company included improvements to electrical circuits, equipment safety upgrades including machine guarding, and installation of guardrails.

"Cal/VPP Star plays an important role in Cal/OSHA's mission of making safety an inherent part of the workplace environment," said Cal/OSHA Chief Len Welsh. "DFA Ventura has shown a commitment to continually improve their safety culture and we are honored to welcome them as a California leader for workplace safety and health."

"We are proud to join an elite group of worksites as a Cal/VPP Star," said Tim Hampshire, DFA Ventura Plant Manager. "It is a remarkable honor and a true testament to the effort we put into creating a work environment where our employees and our customers can be assured that safety is a top priority."

The Dairy Farmers of America Inc. Ventura site employs nearly 100 workers and produces bottled coffee beverages for retail distribution, including Starbuck's Frappuccino. The site receives raw materials that are blended into flavored coffee beverages. The Ventura site has been in operation since 1997.

For more information about the Voluntary Protection Program visit the Cal/OSHA website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_vpp/cal_vpp_index.html.

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