OSHA Voluntary Protection Program
“Voluntary Protection Programs” (VPP) is an OSHA Cooperative program created to recognize workplaces with exemplary safety and health management systems, and to encourage other employers to follow that example. Voluntary Protection Programs promote effective safety and health practices in the workplace by establishing a cooperative relationship between OSHA and the workers and management at private industries and federal agencies that have implemented health and safety management systems in their facilities and maintain injury and illness rates that are below the national average for their industry.
OSHA works through VPP to cooperative with management and labor to proactively prevent injury, illness and fatalities in the workplace. This is done through focusing on hazard prevention and control, training, worksite analysis, worker involvement and the commitment of management. Through voluntary participation in VPP, many employers have outstanding results and have successfully improved workplace safety and health, and have implemented procedures that contribute to the improved health and safety of their employees.
VPP FOUNDATION
The foundation for VPP goes back to 1970 when Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Section (2)(b)(1) of this Act stated intent to:
"assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources – (1) by encouraging employers and employees in their efforts to reduce the number of occupational safety and health hazards at their places of employment, and to stimulate employers and employees to institute new and to perfect existing programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions."
Encouraging employers and employees in their efforts to reduce occupational hazards in the workplace was the foundation for the first experimental Voluntary Protection Program which began in California in 1979. OSHA formally introduced VPP and approved the first worksite for the program in 1982. Federal worksites became eligible to participate in 1998.
VPP APPLICATION PROCESS
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) set standards for health and safety management systems based on performance. Worksites are invited to apply for the VPP program and applications are reviewed and assessed according to set criteria. The application process also includes a rigorous evaluation conducted on site by a team of health and safety experts from OSHA. To remain in the program, participants are re-evaluated every 3-5 years. While VPP participants maintain their VPP status, they are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections.
Qualified sites are approved for one of the following three VPP programs:
VPP - STAR – This program recognizes workers and their employers for demonstrating excellence in occupational safety and hazard prevention and control, and for developing, implementing, and continually improving their health and safety management systems.
VPP - MERIT – This program recognizes workers and their employers who have developed and put into action good health and safety management systems, but need to perform additional steps to attain the quality required for “Star” level recognition.
VPP - DEMONSTRATION - This program recognizes workers and employers who are implementing health and safety management systems that vary from the current VPP requirements, but are effective. OSHA is able to test the effectiveness of different approaches to health and safety management through this program.
VPP – IMPRESSIVE SAFETY AND HEALTH RESULTS
With a twenty year history, OHSA’s Voluntary Protection Programs have impressive results. The average Voluntary Protection Program worksite has an average DART (Days Away Restricted or Transferred) case rate that is 52% below industry average. The DART rate is calculated annually and is based on injury/illness data that is submitted each year by VPP participants. Worksites typically start out with much higher rates and experience reductions in injuries and illness when they begin the challenging application for the Voluntary Protection Program and make a commitment to following the VPP approach to safety and health management. Lower employee turnover and increased productivity are additional benefits of participating in VPP.
VPP – BENEFITS
Employers committed to the VPP approach to safety and health management experience reductions in workplace injuries and illness as well as lower expenses. Employers find that fewer injuries and illnesses in the workplace bring significant reductions in insurance and worker compensation premiums, fewer litigation lawsuits, lower healthcare costs, and less production downtime. Reducing costs means greater profits.
In addition to the benefits employers receive, VPP has industry-wide benefits. Individual VPP worksites affect practices throughout their entire industry as they evolve into “models of excellence”. VPP also benefits OSHA. Through Voluntary Protection Programs, OSHA is able the partner with individuals who provide valuable input, enthusiasm and insight as they spread the message of the importance of effective safety and health system management.
VPP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH VPPPA and SGE
An additional benefit to OSHA is the “Voluntary Protection Program Participant’s Association” (VPPPA), a non-profit safety and health advocacy group that was founded in 1985. Working closely with OSHA in developing and implementing cooperative programs, VPPPA provides expertise and feedback on rulemaking and policies, as well as testimony and comments regarding legislation on safety and health issues.
In 1994 OSHA’s created the “Special Government Employees Program” (SGE). This program offers safety and health professionals in the public and private sectors, as well as others who are qualified, opportunities to share and exchange new ideas and perspectives through volunteer service as team members with OHSA’s on-site evaluations for VPP applicants. Volunteers from VPP sites who are qualified and approved by OSHA, are eligible to participate in SGE, and are funded by their companies. This spirit of cooperation between industry, labor and government embraces the principal of continuous improvement through a team effort to develop best practices and advance improvements in worker protection, safety and health in the workplace.
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