The MIA Mover, Miami International Airport’s (MIA) Automated People Mover (APM) system, has earned the nation’s top safety recognition—Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The recognition was the centerpiece of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safety Awareness Expo in Miami on August 4.

According to Vergie Bain, OSHA Compliance Specialist and member of the OSHA VPP Onsite Assessment Team, OSHA’s VPP has recognized companies since 1982 that have implemented effective safety and health management systems and that maintain injury and illness rates below the industrial average. VPP’s highest award is Star status. The MIA Mover is the first construction project in Florida, and the second in OSHA’s eight-state Region IV,  to achieve VPP Star status.

“This is outstanding recognition for MIA and our Parsons-Odebrecht Joint Venture partners. It reflects a genuine commitment to workplace safety and health for all of our contract workers and employees,” said Jose Abreu, director of Miami–Dade County’s Aviation Department, which operates MIA. “We can all be very, very proud of this milestone achievement.”

MIA Mover construction is nearing completion, and the APM system is scheduled to begin operation in early September.