LANSING, Michigan, December 23, 2015 (press release) – Verso Paper Corp.’s Quinnesec Mill, a producer of printing and specialty papers and pulp, was recently awarded the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star award from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for the fifth time. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

The MVPP is the state’s highest recognition for workplace safety and health. The program was developed to recognize employers actively working toward achieving excellence in workplace safety and health.

“Verso’s Quinnesec Mill continues to show an elevated commitment to the continuous development and improvement of its safety and health management system,” said MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder. “MIOSHA is proud to again recognize a company for going above and beyond MOSHA standards.”

The Mill employs 430 workers and has exhibited outstanding leadership in recognizing that a comprehensive safety and health system is critical to successful businesses today.

“MVPP recertification would not be possible without a commitment to safety improvement owned by everyone at the mill site,” said Quinnesec Mill Safety Leader Boyd Morstad. “New initiatives, engaged employees and a sound process that assesses progress and identifies gaps all contribute to the continuous improvement of our site’s safety.”

The MVPP assists employers and employees by providing a mechanism and a set of criteria designed to evaluate and recognize outstanding safety and health management systems. The program establishes a cooperative relationship between management, labor, and MIOSHA. MVPP participants implement safety and health management systems that provide protections beyond what is required by MIOSHA standards.

There are two levels of recognition in the MVPP. The Michigan Star program is designed for workplaces that have an exemplary safety and health management system with injury and illness incidence rates below the industry average for the last three years. The Rising Star program provides the "stepping stone" for those establishments that have the desire and potential to achieve Star status within one to three years. Rising Star participants have a good safety and health management system and have incidence rates at or below the industry average for two out of the last three years.

Current Star sites are available to mentor other companies that have an interest and desire to improve their safety and health management system. Mentors inform, counsel, train, and strive to achieve excellence in safety and health through the MVPP.

About Verso

Verso Corporation states that it is the leading North American producer of printing and specialty papers and pulp. It provides insightful solutions that help drive improved customer efficiency, productivity, brand awareness and business results. Verso's long-standing reputation for quality and reliability is directly tied to our vision to be a company with passion that is respected and trusted by all. Verso's passion is rooted in ethical business practices that demand safe workplaces for our employees and sustainable wood sourcing for our products. This passion, combined with our flexible manufacturing capabilities and an unmatched commitment to product performance, delivery and service, make Verso a preferred choice among commercial printers, paper merchants and brokers, converters, publishers and other end users. For more information, visit us online at www.versoco.com.