RICHLAND, Wash. – The EM Office of River Protection (ORP) contractor that provides analysis and testing services at the Hanford Site’s 222-S Laboratory was recently awarded the DOE Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status for its safety and employee involvement programs.

Richard Valle, ORP’s tank farm program manager for the 222-S Laboratory, congratulated VNS Federal Services (VNSFS) for the VPP Star honor.

“Safety is not just a word but a way of life here at Hanford,” Valle said. “This award recognizes the outstanding effort the company and workers put forth to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.”

Contractors that meet requirements for outstanding safety and health programs can receive VPP recognition. The DOE VPP promotes safety and health excellence through cooperative efforts among labor, management, and government at DOE contractor sites.

“VPP star certification shows that employees are committed to safety at work, and that they care about each other,” said Tricia Wood, VNSFS environmental, safety, health, and quality assurance director at the laboratory. Wood said VPP Star recognition is validation of the safe work the laboratory team does every day.

The 70,000-square-foot laboratory in Hanford’s 200 West Area has 11 hot cells used to remotely handle radioactive samples, primarily samples of waste from Hanford’s large underground tanks.

DOE’s VPP was established in 1994 and mirrors the Occupational Health and Safety Administration VPP to promote improved safety and health performance through public recognition of outstanding programs. DOE VPP participation is open to contractors employed at DOE facilities. The program includes expanded criteria because of the unique hazards and complexity of work at these facilities.