OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)

What is VPP?

VPP participants are a select group of facilities that have designed and implemented outstanding health and safety programs. Participants obtaining “Star” certification meet all VPP requirements. “Merit” participants have demonstrated the potential and willingness to achieve Star program status, and are implementing planned steps to fully meet all Star requirements.

Safety Guidance Specialists assists you with meeting the requirements of this program including accident/incident Bureau of Labor Statistics rates, management leadership and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, safety and health training, and review.

Benefits

The following benefits have been cited:

• Improved employee safety, quality and productivity
• Reduced workers’ compensation costs
• Community recognition
• Continuous improvement through internal and external review
• 60 to 80 percent fewer lost workday injuries

How it works

VPP promotes effective safety and health management. OSHA, management, and labor work together to establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace that has already implemented a strong safety program:

• Management agrees to operate an effective program that meets established criteria
• Employees agree to participate in the program and work with management to assure a safe and healthful workplace
• OSHA initially verifies the program meets all VPP criteria, and
• OSHA then publicly recognizes the site’s exemplary program, and
• Removes the site from routine scheduled inspection lists (OSHA may still investigate major accidents, valid formal employee complaints, and chemical spills)
• OSHA periodically conducts reassessments to confirm site compliance to VPP criteria

With this program, OSHA, management, and labor work together to establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace that has already implemented a strong safety emphasis. Management agrees to operate an effective program which meets established criteria. Employees agree to participate in the program and work with management to assure a safe and healthful workplace, and in addition, OSHA verifies the program meets all VPP criteria and then publicly recognizes the site’s exemplary program. OSHA also removes the site from routine scheduled inspection lists. (OSHA may still investigate major accidents, valid formal employee complaints, and/or chemical spills.) Finally, OSHA periodically conducts reassessments to confirm site compliance to VPP criteria.

How we can help

Safety Guidance Specialists can assist you with meeting the requirements of the OSHA VPP Program. Areas in the assessment of your site include:

• Accident/Incident Bureau of Labor Statistics rates
• Management Leadership And Employee Involvement
• Worksite Analysis
• Hazard Prevention And Control
• Safety And Health Training
• Review