Author: Melissa Renouf

Region l OSHA has announced the 2020 Special Government Employee (SGE) of the Year nominee: Ms. Debra Bowie, Safety Compliance Coordinator, supporting the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star worksite Coca-Cola Refreshments located in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Debra became an OSHA SGE in 2012.  She has dedicated over 30 years of her career to health, safety, and security operations at Coca Cola Refreshments and is an active member and coordinator of the Environmental and Safety Committee.   Debra has facilitated all training related to safety and security at her VPP worksite.

Debra has supported Region 1 OSHA through her assistance as a SGE in participating and assisting with on-site VPP evaluations, annual self-evaluation reviews, and has assisted other organizations through mentoring in their pursuit of achieving VPP Star status.  Debra and the Coca-Cola worksite effectively coordinated and implemented worksite visitor, contractor and employee health and safety engineering, administrative and work practice controls and precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including working with the on-site evaluation team in the summer of 2020 as part of the site’s VPP re-approval process.  Debra worked prior to 2007 to assist and prepare Coca-Cola’s second U.S. worksite (Northampton, MA) to become a VPP Star participant.  Debra also held the position as a Board of Director member, hourly representative of non-union worksite, on the Region 1 VPPPA from November 2009 until May 1, 2013. From May 1, 2013 to present, Debra has held the position of Secretary on the Region 1 VPPPA Board.

Congratulations Debra on your nomination and your support of the Voluntary Protection Program here in Region 1!