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Bellevue, Wash. - August 29, 2005 - Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries today announced it has granted Quadrant Homes its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star recognition, the highest certification awarded to businesses that employ exemplary occupational safety and health standards under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA). Quadrant is the only homebuilder in the nation that has received a VPP Star distinction. "We're honored to recognize Quadrant's significant commitment to fostering a safe work environment as part of its everyday business practices," said Gary Weeks, director of Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries. "Only those companies that meet and exceed very stringent requirements for workplace safety are awarded a VPP Star certification, and Quadrant has truly set the bar on a national scale for how a company should model its safety programs." The VPP Star status recognizes businesses that have effectively designed and implemented safety and health programs above and beyond state requirements. In addition to Quadrant's corporate headquarters, all 10 of the company's open home communities have been awarded individual VPP Star certifications, an unprecedented achievement in the Department of Labor and Industries' history. Only 9 other work sites in Washington have earned VPP Star recognition from WISHA, and a total of 1,337 companies across the country meet VPP Star standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). According to the latest census data, there are an estimated 7.2 million work sites nationally. "Safety has always been a top priority at Quadrant and is a deeply embedded value in the company's culture that we take very seriously," said Peter M. Orser, president of Quadrant Homes. "Our new distinction as a VPP Star company is a testament to Quadrant's long-standing commitment to promoting our extensive safety practices and knowledge among all of our employees, vendor-partners and homebuyers." The VPP Star program evaluates potential recipients based on the company's leadership and commitment to promoting workplace safety and health, extensive level of employee participation, ongoing safety improvement systems and successful completion of an on-site review. Companies that receive VPP Star status have achieved injury and illness rates at or below the national average of their respective industries. In 2004, Quadrant achieved a 0 RIR (recordable incident rate) with zero incidents reported in the calendar year. In her letter of congratulations to Quadrant on its VPP Star recognition, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire stated, "I commend Quadrant's safety and health program for its demonstrated effectiveness. As a result of the company's leadership, commitment and employee involvement, Quadrant Homes has become a leader in safety and health and a positive role model for others." A few examples of Quadrant's comprehensive efforts to promote and maintain a safe work environment for employees and customers include:
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