Cintas Gets VPP Star in Fort Smith, AR

Cintas Corp.’s Fort Smith, AR, manufacturing facility recently received Arkansas’ OSHA’s highest safety designation, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification, according to a recent news release. The VPP Star recognizes the practice of and commitment to exemplary occupational safety and health.

“This award, the highest award in the VPP system, would not have been achieved without the full safety engagement of all of our Fort Smith employee-partners,” said Phillip Holloman, Cintas’ president & COO. “World-class safety only happens when it’s embraced by everyone. Passionately engaged employee-partners taking fullresponsibility for the safety and well-being of each other is the critical ingredient to achieving the VPP Star and our safety vision.”

The Fort Smith facility, which started its pursuit of the certification several years ago, employs 50 people and has been injury free for five years. “I’m very proud to be a part of this team, and without the dedication of our employee-partners, we couldn’t have done this,” said Cliff Clifton, Fort Smith plant manager. “There are many good business reasons for the safety journey we're on, but none are more important than the people we go home to every day.”

It’s the 29th Cintas facility in the U.S. to receive VPP Star designation since 2011. The company has about 330 facilities throughout the world actively pursuing VPP recognition by OSHA or the equivalent under a similar certifying body, the release noted. For more details, click here.