Exemplary Safety Keeps Vehicles on the Job

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes safety efforts in Fort Wayne'€™s vehicle maintenance as tops in the country.

Fleet management company, First Vehicle Services, received OSHA'€™S Voluntary Protection Program Star Award. The Star is the program'€™s highest award and is given for excellence in occupational safety and health. The City of Fort Wayne contracts with Fleet Vehicle for maintenance on most city vehicles from heavy equipment to police cars.

“The efforts made to comply with the high OSHA standards improve turnaround time on routine maintenance. We know the equipment is ready to go and operating properly, when we need it. That'€™s especially important when we'€™re talking about equipment like fire trucks and snow removal trucks,” said Larry Campbell, Fleet Manager, City of Fort Wayne.

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) promotes effective worksite-based safety and health practices. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system. Approval into VPP is OSHA'€™s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.

"Safety in particular is a very high priority, and in the fleet maintenance environment, as with any environment working with heavy equipment, constant vigilance is required to maintain high safety standards,” said Dale Domish, Senior Vice President of First Vehicle Services. “We are very proud that the group at Fort Wayne is being recognized for their commitment to excellence, and their diligence in maintaining those standards,” added Domish.

OSHA representatives presnted the Start Award Tuesday September 30, 2008 at the Ctiy for Fort Wayne's Sercvice Center.