By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Covington facility achieves OSHAs VPP Star Status
Placeholder Image

In late 2008, the safety manager Carla Hanibal, together with the Continuous Safety Involvement team at the Valspar’s production facility in Covington, set their target on achieving national recognition for its safety program through the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Its Voluntary Protection Program, known as VPP, requires companies to develop a comprehensive management safety system with active employee involvement.

Acceptance into the VPP program is OSHA’s official recognition of companies that have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health standards. Within Valspar’s General Industrial Powder Group, plant participation in VPP is not just goal, but an expectation. "After reviewing the requirements and collaborating with our sister plant in Charlotte (the first to achieve VPP acceptance) our team was confident that we met and exceeded the standards with our safety programs," said Dale Blackwell, Valspar Covington plant manager.

An audit was conducted in February of 2009 to gauge how Valspar Covington measured up to OSHA’s standards. The collective effort of all employees and safety groups led to a successful audit and approval for the site to participate as a STAR facility.

On June 19, the Covington facility proudly accepted from OSHA a plaque and VPP flag. Celebrating with us were representatives from the Covington fire and police departments; Bill Harrington and G.T. Breezley from OSHA; SGE Charles Moore; representatives from sister plants; Valspar corporate representatives and Kathy Morgan, chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners.

Late-night plane crash kills two
Breaking News

UPDATE

The victim's in Saturday night's plane crash have been identified.

Janet Hardee, 59, and James Hardee, 62, of Covington were identified as the two victims in the crash, according to the Newton County Coroner's Office. It is still not clear as to what led to the crash.

COVINGTON, Ga. — A plane crash on Saturday night claimed the lives of two people.

According to a news release from the Covington Police Department (CPD), a single-engine aircraft took off from the Covington Municipal Airport at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday night. Following takeoff, there was “no further communication” from the aircraft.

After receiving a call from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA), CPD officers responded to the airport at approximately 11:21 p.m. Officers spotted the aircraft in the woods just north of the runway.

Both occupants in the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene. They have not been identified as of this writing.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.

It is not clear yet as to how the crash occurred. The Covington News has reached out to the CPD, FAA and NTSB for more information.

This is an ongoing story and The News will provide further updates when made available.