UniFirst Raises VPP Star Flag at Owensboro, KY, Facility

UniFirst Corp. recently announced that its centralized distribution center in Owensboro, KY, received the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). VPP is OSHA’s highest recognition for the practice of and commitment to exemplary occupational safety and health. Businesses that earn this certification must meet rigorous safety requirements, according to a news release.

“Earning this certification validates UniFirst’s commitment to safety,” said Owensboro Certifications Coordinator David Rudd. “Staff safety is woven into every aspect of our jobs here at our company’s centralized distribution center and every employee team partner is committed to safe practices not only on the job, but at home as well.”

The Owensboro distribution center is one of only 20 sites in the entire state of Kentucky to achieve this status. To celebrate the honor, the UniFirst–Owensboro safety team gathered to raise the VPP program flag in front of the facility, which employs more than 420 team partners who live in the greater Owensboro area. There also will be small-group celebrations for employee team partners on Dec. 10.

“We congratulate the entire UniFirst–Owensboro team for valuing the importance of workplace safety and completing the comprehensive program required to be recognized as a VPP Star site,” said Human Resource Manager Kerry Bailey. “This program is the gold standard for implementing and maintaining safety and health management systems.”

The Owensboro team officially began their VPP journey in Jan. 2018 and received certification in Sept. 2021. The lengthy VPP process includes an application review and a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.