Cardinal Automation Group and Cardinal Insulated Glass, both in Spring Green, Wis., recently were awarded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Level Designation. According to a Department of Labor press release about the honor, the companies earned recognition for their initiative-taking safety and health programs, and can now be considered Star Level VPP sites. The Spring Grove companies – together employing about 560 workers – are divisions of Cardinal Glass Industries in Eden Prairie, Minn.

“Both of these Cardinal Glass Industries’ divisions embed a culture of safety in which all employees voluntarily participate on safety teams, attend training alongside their management team and provide peer review of work areas for safety issues. These sites encourage employee-driven safety solutions,” said OSHA regional administrator William Donovan. “Star Level designation in the Voluntary Protection Program is the highest safety achievement a company can earn from OSHA. Cardinal’s commitment to safety and health management systems are excellent examples of the value of employee involvement, empowerment and ownership.”

Cardinal Automation Group produces custom manufacturing equipment for use at various Cardinal Glass Industries’ locations. The company produces monolithic tempered glass panels and assembles insulated glass units.

OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs recognize and promote effective worksite-based safety and health management systems. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented comprehensive safety and health management systems. Approval into VPP is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have created exemplary worksite safety and health management systems.