Bend lab earns state safety, health recognition

Oregon OSHA welcomes VR Analytical in Bend as the latest employer in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

SHARP provides an incentive for Oregon employers to work with their employees to find and correct hazards, develop and implement effective safety and health programs, and continuously improve.

The ultimate goal of SHARP is to encourage employers to become self-sufficient in managing workplace safety and health issues. Currently, about 34 employer locations are active SHARP employers, in addition to approximately 136 facilities that have graduated from the program.

With 25 employees, VR Analytical is a contract research organization that specializes in extractables and leachables testing, which is necessary to qualify materials for use in bio/pharmaceutical drug development.

The company offers guidance about organic and inorganic chemical entities that may be extracted from materials used in the manufacture, storage, and delivery of pharmaceuticals. The oversight is necessary to achieve patient safety and to minimize potential delays in regulatory approval.

“Our first priority is to provide a working environment and appropriate safety training that ensures the well-being of our employees. And safety has business benefits beyond fewer injuries and lost-time accidents,” said Raymond Colton, president of VR Analytical.

“It turns out that our customers are starting to demand that we have a robust safety program and include safety on the agenda during their periodic quality systems audits. By participating in the SHARP program, we also commit to continually improving our safety program so that it exceeds requirements. This sort of continuous improvement fits with the culture of our organization.”

Participation in SHARP does not eliminate regulatory enforcement, although SHARP participants do receive a limited exemption from programmed inspections. Employees retain all workplace safety and health rights contained in the Oregon Safe Employment Act.

Oregon employers that have been in business for more than one year are eligible to apply for SHARP regardless of size or type of business.