TOTE Earns OHSAS Certification

Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc., (TOTE), a shipping company operating roll-on/roll-off cargo vessels between the Ports of Tacoma, Wash., and Anchorage, Alaska, announced its completion in April of the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001:2007 certification process for safety standards.

TOTE was certified to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 standard for environmental practices in 2007. The OHSAS 18001 implementation was done in coordination with 14001 as a health, safety and environmental (HSE) program. TOTE has retained an ISO certification for quality management systems (9000 series) since 1998.

To achieve those targets, TOTE enacted numerous practices, including a safety orientation for all employees and new employees. Safety committees at each location meet monthly to identify hazards and recommend controls. Each scheduled business meeting begins with a “Safety Minute” to review emergency procedures and to discuss a topic of the week. A brochure on safety and environmental guidelines is provided to each contractor who performs work on a TOTE facility or vessel.

(www.totemocean.com)