North Wind Solutions Transuranic Waste Processing Center (TWPC) project is proud to have been recertified as a STAR site under the Department of Energy Voluntary Protection Program (DOE-VPP) and to have received the distinguished Star of Excellence Award. The criteria for “Star of Excellence” sites include approaching a recordable incident injury rate that is 75 percent better than the average of other U.S. businesses in the same industry code.
“I am so very proud that TWPC employees have continued to maintain a robust safety culture over multiple years. As TWPC processes the most difficult and hazardous waste streams, our employee’s diligence in maintaining a questioning attitude and their willingness to pause work if something does not seem quite right is fundamental to our safe operations,” said Linda Beach, TWPC Program Manager.
“Our employees at TWPC and across all of North Wind are diligent about thinking and acting safety and it shows as we continue to perform safely year after year,” said Chris Leichtweis, President/CEO of North Wind Group. This award is a reflection of the true leadership of John Bukowski (President of North Wind Solutions), Linda Beach and her TWPC team that believe in all elements of our established VPP program.”
The Department initiated its VPP in January 1994 to promote improved safety and health performance through public recognition of outstanding programs. DOE-VPP also includes coverage of radiation protection/nuclear safety and emergency management because of the type and complexity of DOE facilities. Similar to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) VPP program, DOE-VPP provides several proven benefits to participating sites, including improved labor/management relations, reduced workplace injuries and illnesses, increased employee involvement, improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and public recognition. The DOE-VPP has three (3) levels of recognition; STAR, MERIT, and DEMONSTRATION. Contractors whose programs meet the requirements for outstanding safety and health programs receive STAR recognition, the highest achievement level.
North Wind is one of the nation’s leading small businesses providing engineering, construction, environmental, and technical services to federal and state agencies and private industry. Founded in 1997, North Wind has grown to a group of companies that employs more than 1,200 scientific, engineering, management and professional personnel. Since 2010, North Wind has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native corporation (ANC). North Wind is headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and has a presence in 35 states, three countries, and one US Territory.
