October 5, 2015 - Nucor Sheet Mill Group, Crawfordsville, Ind., has achieved recertification in the Indiana Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) as a “STAR” site. Indiana VPP sites are recognized as leaders in workplace safety and health and commended for their success in proactively protecting Hoosier workers. The site achieved initial certification in VPP certification in 2009. VPP “STAR” sites are re-evaluated every three to five years.

“VPP certification is an achievement that does not come easy. It requires the hard work and diligence of both management and employees,” said Indiana Department of Labor (IDOL) Commissioner Rick J. Ruble. “The Indiana Department of Labor congratulates and is pleased to continue to partner with Nucor Sheet Mill Group for worker safety and health excellence,” Ruble added.

To participate in VPP, a company must develop, implement and maintain an exemplary worker safety and health management system and complete a comprehensive workplace safety and health audit conducted by IDOL staff and safety professionals from a pool of Special Government Employees (SGEs). Additionally, the site’s workplace injury and illness rates must be below the national industry average for its respective industry. Worker injury and illness rates at Nucor Sheet Mill Group’s Crawfordsville location are more than 60 percent below the national industry average. To date, 75 Indiana workplaces have achieved VPP certification—with 73 of these sites achieving “STAR” certification.

Nucor Sheet Mill Group is a division of the Nucor Corporation. The site employs more than 700 employees who manufacture and supply hot and cold rolled carbon steel and galvanized steel products. Management commitment and worker involvement is critical to the success of an organization’s safety and health culture. Among other safety and health activities, the general manager hosts a quarterly breakfast meeting for employees. These meetings are dedicated to discussing workplace safety and health.