Marathon Pipe Line’s (MPL) Clermont area received a five-year recertification of its Star status from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) region 5.

Clermont was MPL’s first area to achieve Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) status as well as the first to achieve recertification. They join other MPC facilities including refineries, terminals and offices in receiving this distinction. VPP Star Status recognizes a workplace’s commitment to employee safety and is administered by the state-level OSHA office.

There are 22 employees in the Clermont area. The area was first certified as a Star worksite in 2015 and received confirmation of its recertification in April 2018. An area celebration with MPL leadership and was held in January of this year.

As part of the VPP Star recertification process, the Clermont area has demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement. Technician engagement led to the identification and mitigation of 26 safety items as well as 15 operational improvements in 2018 alone. The area also has formed technician-led teams covering Earning Your Trust, AWARE, Safe Driving, Audit Preparedness, and Health and Wellness to tie day-to-day work activities to MPL’s VPP initiatives.

“This recertification is a testament to our technicians’ engagement and dedication to personal safety as well as that of our contractors and the public,” said Wes Phelps, Clermont area manager.