Key Points

• Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery retained MVPP STAR status after a MIOSHA re-evaluation and recognized the site’s top-tier safety performance.
• MVPP STAR is MIOSHA’s highest safety designation, awarded to sites that exceed compliance with strong safety systems, below-average injury rates and active employee involvement in risk identification and prevention.
• The refinery sustained its safety culture through leadership and operational changes using safety programs and tools and will continue mentoring other sites pursuing MVPP.

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Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery has once again earned STAR status in the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP), recognizing the site’s sustained excellence in workplace safety, employee engagement and operational discipline.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) confirmed that the Detroit refinery will retain its STAR designation following a comprehensive on-site re-evaluation conducted in October 2025. The Detroit refinery has held this status since 2010. The recognition reflects the site’s proven ability to manage safety and health at the highest level.

“STAR recognition exemplifies the result of successful efforts by employees, management and government partnering for excellence in workplace safety and health,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “You have demonstrated that a culture built on management commitment and employee involvement can reduce injuries and illnesses while promoting continuous improvement.”

“Safety isn’t something we focus on only during audits. It’s how we operate every day.”

About MVPP STAR

MVPP is MIOSHA’s premier safety and health recognition program, reserved for worksites that go beyond regulatory compliance. STAR sites demonstrate comprehensive safety and health management systems, maintain injury and illness rates below industry averages, and actively involve employees in identifying and mitigating risk.

For the Detroit refinery, MVPP reflects the company’s core values: putting people first, acting with integrity and striving for excellence. At the Detroit refinery, those values are embedded in daily work through strong leadership engagement, empowered employees and a shared responsibility for safety.

Maintaining focus

The MVPP reevaluation report highlighted the Detroit refinery’s ability to maintain a strong safety focus despite leadership changes and operational challenges. Reviewers cited meaningful employee participation, proactive hazard identification and consistent use of industry-leading safety tools as key strengths.

Programs such as the site’s behavior-based safety process, safety campaign and annual Safety and Health Day events reinforce a culture of continuous improvement and shared accountability. The site’s emphasis on near-miss reporting, learning from experience and addressing hazards before incidents occur continues to drive strong performance.

“Safety isn’t something we focus on only during audits. It’s how we operate every day,” said Eric Sponaugle, Personal Safety Manager at the Detroit refinery. “Maintaining STAR status comes down to consistency, open communication and empowering people to stop work when something doesn’t feel right.”

Leatha Hallmark, Vice President of Refining at the Detroit refinery, emphasized that employee ownership is critical to sustaining performance.

“Our employees take responsibility not just for their own safety but for each other,” said Hallmark. “That questioning and continuous improvement mindset allows us to maintain focus through change and complexity, and it’s why this recognition truly belongs to the entire refinery team.”

Commitment beyond compliance

By voluntarily participating in MVPP and undergoing rigorous third-party evaluation, the Detroit refinery demonstrates Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to transparency, accountability and operational excellence.

As a STAR site, the refinery will continue mentoring other organizations pursuing MVPP participation, sharing best practices and helping advance safety performance across the industry.