April 3, 2008 — Hovensa recognized 18 individuals as well as six areas and teams in a Personal and Process Safety ceremony Wednesday.
There was standing room only in the auditorium at the administrative building at Hovensa with close to 250 employees on hand for the ceremony.
Dick Smullen, vice president of environmental health and safety, displayed a Power Point graph showing a steady decline in personal injuries from 1991 through 2007.
"This shows we are certainly moving in the right direction," said Smullen.
He said Hovensa is doing much better than the national averages with 1,255,700 hours worked from October 2007 through March 2008 without any personal injuries.
Jerry Jackson, an employee at Hovensa for 32 years, and United Steel Workers Union 8526 president for the past 16 years, said they conduct safety meetings monthly. He commended the employees and urged them to continue to voice their concerns.
"You spoke the truth and the company listened," Jackson told the people gathered for the awards.
Awards were given to certain areas in the plant that consistently comply with and maintain safety practices.
A Process Hazard Awareness (PHA) award went to Area 2, with an Incident Investigation award given to Area 7, the Auditing and Management of Change (MOC) awards were received by Area 8. The most improved asset team was awarded to areas 3 and 9 and the best asset team overall went to Area 2.
Individual awards were given to Leandro Diaz, Gregory Magras, Wayne Alleyne, Hugh Sanchez, Karen Carty, Troy Coker, Keala K-Limbacker, Jislaine Benjamin, Avril Christian, Freddie Ortiz, Jerry Johnson, Gary Brumback, Hank Woodward, Marc Hulsman, Paul Dexter, and Linda Lane.
Michael Zehender and Gregory Rawlins received the President's Award for Personal Safety Excellence.
The top award of Process Safety Management (PSM) Presidential Recognition Award was given to Gregory Magras. According to the Hovensa leadership team, Magras is consistent in striving for excellence ensuring that all aspects of PSM process are followed.
"We have a lot to celebrate today," said Larry Kupfer, president and CEO at Hovensa. "Last year was our best year ever and we can do even better."
Those recognized for safety each received a Hovensa polo shirt, $50 gift certificate and a crystal trophy.
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