The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it has designated an Owens Corning asphalt plant in Denver as a "Star" in the agency's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

According to OSHA, this site was first designated with the VPP in 2009. OSHA has approved of 15 Owens Corning sites in the program. The VPP Star is OSHA's highest level of recognition of employers and workers who have implemented excellent safety and health management systems and maintained injury and illness rates below the Bureau of Labor Statistics' industry averages.

"Owens Corning has committed leaders dedicated to safety and health excellence at every level of this worksite," said OSHA Regional Administrator Jennifer Rous in Denver. "Employee engagement is a fundamental requirement of the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, and this site is an outstanding example of involvement, empowerment, and ownership at the employee level. We are happy to recognize Owens Corning with a VPP Star."

To participate in the VPP, employers must apply to OSHA for consideration and undergo a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. There are 2,000 federal and state sites taking part in the program.