McCain Othello plant goes 2 million hours without injury

Employees rewarded with steak barbecue, gifts, kudos

PHOTOS: 1. McCain Foods USA recently honored plant employees for reaching a new safety milestone of 2 million hours worked without one OSHA lost time injury. Pictured above with the McCain Chairman's Award to commemorate their achievement are (back row) plant manager Daniel Paradis and human resources manager Varon Blackburn. In front are McCain Safety Committee members I. Enoch Vargas, fryer operator; Willie Rodriguez, forklift operator; John Rupe, health and safety manager and Linda Sierra, production clerk.

2. McCain Foods hangs a banner from its plant in Othello to honor local employees for reaching a safety milestone of 2 million hours worked without one OSHA lost time injury.

McCain Foods USA employees in Othello recently celebrated the completion of over 2 million consecutive hours without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration Lost Time Injury or Illness.

"We reached this milestone only because of the outstanding attitudes, work efforts and individual dedication to safety by all of our people," said Frank van Schaayk, president and CEO of the McCain Foods USA potato division. "We believe that our commitment to providing a safe work environment creates a culture for achieving this goal."

The completion of 2 million consecutive hours without an OSHA Recordable Lost Time Injury or Illness is calculated by including those hours worked by direct employees of McCain. The date summary of the calculation included over 26 calendar months, starting in March 2002, with an average of 450 direct personnel employed over three shifts.

"The employees deserve a tremendous amount of credit for this achievement," said plant manager Dan Paradis. "To reach 2 million hours without a lost time injury requires a total team of people dedicated to safety. I am extremely proud of our people and the commitment they have put forth to excel in safe working practices every day."

McCain Foods USA has enacted a multitude of efforts to promote a culture of safety in its plants, said John Rupe, health and safety manager. Employees receive ongoing safety training and a safety committee consisting of employees meets on a monthly basis to address safety issues and discuss tactics for enhancing safety performance.

In addition, McCain managers have developed reward programs to give employees added incentive to adhere to safe work practices. For example, the Othello plant is currently featuring a program that rewards employees who achieve safety standards with gift certificates that may be redeemed with local merchants.

McCain held a celebration at the plant to honor employees for their achievement. The celebration featured a steak barbecue cooked for employees by management during each shift. Employees also received commemorative gifts.

"The McCain people in Othello deserve congratulations for embracing the philosophy that safety is part of the job," said Dale McCarthy, senior vice president of operations. "At its core, McCain is committed to maintaining a safe work environment and the people at McCain plants embody this commitment."