Covanta's Onondaga WTE Facility Honored by OSHA with Prestigious OSHA VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) 'STAR' Designation for
October 30 2006 - 5:31PM
PR Newswire (US)
FAIRFIELD, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Covanta Holding
Corporation announced today that its Onondaga, New York
waste-to-energy (WTE) Facility will be honored by the Federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with its
coveted "VPP STAR" designation on Wednesday, November 1, 2006.
Covanta Onondaga, Inc., a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corporation
owns and operates the Facility, a renewable energy power plant
fueled by municipal solid waste. The "VPP STAR" recognition is the
highest honor given to facilities where employees, OSHA and
facility management partner to reduce employee injury and ensure a
safer workplace. Employee empowerment, enhanced self assessment
programs and consistent achievement beyond OSHA minimum regulatory
compliance are characteristics required of an OSHA VPP STAR
facility. In awarding The STAR elite status, OSHA gives strong
consideration to the level of employee involvement in on-site
health and safety program development and to long term management
commitment and support. Covanta Onondaga's designation as a "VPP
STAR" facility is an honor held by less than 0.03% of the more than
7 million US workplaces. Participation in the agency's rigorous
Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) requires adherence to the
highest health and safety protocols in industry, demonstration of
ability for continuous improvement, strong training programs and
detailed hazard recognition and analysis techniques. After managing
an effective health and safety program for many years, the Onondaga
employees launched participation in the VPP program during 2005 and
received OSHA's recognition of The STAR status in August 2006.
Covanta Onondaga is the 65th worksite to receive this prestigious
recognition in the State of New York, representing less than 0.013
percent of establishments in New York State to achieve the status.
Covanta Onondaga is the 13th Covanta facility to earn The VPP STAR
company-wide and is the 3rd Covanta facility in New York State to
earn the recognition. "Covanta has made great strides in the
workplace improving safety and health for all. Its efforts to
attain the VPP Star status have shown they care about their
employees' well being both on and off the job. Covanta Onondaga is
considered one of OSHA's models of excellence," said Mike Casler,
OSHA Region II Compliance Assistance Specialist. "While Covanta
Onondaga has always been one of Covanta's revered facilities,
achieving The OSHA VPP STAR status provides a special tribute to
the health and safety performance of both the leadership team and
the employees. I extend my pride in and support for the Onondaga
Facility employees and their families and friends as we celebrate
the wonderful collaborative team efforts that made this achievement
possible," said Mr. John Klett, Senior Vice President and COO of
Covanta. About Covanta Holding Corporation Covanta Holding
Corporation is a New York Stock Exchange listed company engaging in
waste disposal, energy services and specialty insurance through its
subsidiaries. Covanta's subsidiary, Covanta Energy Corporation, is
an internationally recognized owner and operator of waste-to-energy
and power generation projects. Covanta Energy's waste-to-energy
facilities convert municipal solid waste into renewable energy for
numerous communities, predominantly in the United States. NOTE:
Covanta's charter contains restrictions that prohibit parties from
acquiring 5% or more of Covanta's common stock without its prior
consent. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release may constitute
"forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA") or in
releases made by the Securities and Exchange Commission, all as may
be amended from time to time. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important
factors that could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of Covanta and its subsidiaries, or industry results,
to differ materially from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking
statements. Statements that are not historical fact are forward-
looking statements. Forward- looking statements can be identified
by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language, such
as the words "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend,"
"estimate," "project," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should,"
"seeks," or "scheduled to," "proposed," or other similar words, or
the negative of these terms or other variations of these terms or
comparable language, or by discussion of strategy or intentions.
These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention
of obtaining the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of such
laws. Covanta cautions investors that any forward-looking
statements made by Covanta are not guarantees or indicative of
future performance. Important assumptions and other important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those forward-looking statements with respect to Covanta, include,
but are not limited to, those factors, risks and uncertainties that
are described in Item 1A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, and in other securities filings by
Covanta or its subsidiaries. Although Covanta believes that its
plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by
such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results
could differ materially from a projection or assumption in any
forward-looking statements. Covanta's future financial condition
and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking
statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and
uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this
press release are made only as of the date hereof and Covanta does
not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
subsequent events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.
DATASOURCE: Covanta Holding Corporation CONTACT: Christine Yeung of
Covanta Holding Corporation, +1-973-882-7054
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