The OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Josh Flesher
What is VPP? Josh Flesher, Assistant Regional Administrator, OSHA Region 6
What is VPP?
What s Ahead Background Benefits Elements Process Program Description Cost Saving Success Stories
VPP Background OSHA Act signed 1970 1979: California experimental VPP Program. 1982: VPP was established. 1998: Federal worksites eligible for VPP.
VPP Benefits Employees Safer Work Environment Improved Morale Employers Lower Costs Higher Profitability OSHA Role Models
VPP Elements Management commitment and employee involvement Worksite analysis Hazard prevention & control Training
Management Commitment Commitment Planning Written Program Authority and Resources Line Accountability Contract Worker Coverage
Employee Involvement Meaningful Involvement Employee Rights Union Assurances Access to Records
Worksite Analysis Self-Inspection Comprehensive Surveys Hazard Analysis Accident Investigations Trend Analysis Annual Evaluation
Hazard Prevention & Control Written Program Engineering, Administrative, PPE Controls Emergency Preparedness Professional Expertise Occupational Health Care Programs
Safety and Health Training Hazard Recognition Rights and Responsibilities Safety and Health Management Systems
VPP Process
VPP Process Application Onsite Evaluation Participation Decision VPP Recognition Ceremony Periodic Review and Reapproval Ongoing Opportunities
Application No fees associated with Programs Self-Assessment Checklist will help gauge readiness Written application to Regional VPP Mgr. Flexible, performance-based criteria: No single correct way Amount of documentation OSHA needs will depend on complexity of worksite s systems Small businesses may need relatively little documentation
Onsite Evaluation Not a compliance enforcement visit! VPP team conducts comprehensive review of safety and health management systems Review of relevant documents Site walkthrough to verify hazard control Employee interviews VPP team report and recommendation
Participation Decision Applicant meets all eligibility criteria Written application complete Onsite evaluation successful Team recommends approval Regional Administrator submits recommendation to Assistant Secretary OSHA s Assistant Secretary makes approval decision
Ceremony VPP Manager or Coordinator works with participant to schedule recognition ceremony OSHA officials and other dignitaries attend Opportunity for media coverage Participant s employees and managers recognized for their commitment and outstanding performance
Periodic Review and Reapproval Regional VPP Manager or Coordinator reviews participant s self-evaluation and other data submitted annually VPP team periodically visits worksite Reviews participant s performance Makes recommendation regarding continuing approval Frequency of reapproval visits varies by program
Ongoing Opportunities Special Government Employee Program Open to qualified volunteers from VPP companies Company pays for its employees expenses OSHA provides training After training, volunteers sworn in as Special Government Employees (SGEs) SGEs work alongside OSHA personnel as fullfledged members of VPP onsite approval teams
Ongoing Opportunities Mentoring The Mentoring Program matches a company aspiring to VPP with an approved VPP company Mentor helps the candidate improve its safety and health management system Mentor helps managers and employees prepare for VPP application and participation
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Challenge Pilot An Overview
Overview Program to reach employers that do not meet criteria of other cooperative programs Provides a road map for implementing safety and health (S&H) management systems to improve worker safety and health Recognizes participant-employers for incremental improvements in their S&H management systems Expedites participation in cooperative programs Leverages resources
Definitions Administrator: Facilitates implementation of Challenge stages to participating sites Coordinator: Chosen by Administrator to help implement Pilot for the OSHA Challenge Participant Candidate: A worksite or Company that has applied to Challenge but has not yet been approved as a Participant Participant: A Candidate worksite or company that has been accepted into the Pilot
Participant Eligibility Challenge is open to employers under OSHA s jurisdiction who: Are interested in and committed to improving their safety and health management systems Seek information, training, or other assistance in implementing or improving their safety and health management systems
Challenge Process Contact an Administrator or OSHA Submit application to gain acceptance into the Pilot Complete and have verified required actions at each of the three Stages Communicate regularly with Administrator/Coordinator Graduate from program after completion and verification of Stage 3 Complete VPP application
Challenge: Stages After demonstrating initial commitment, Challenge participants move through three stages within the Program Each stage has action and outcome requirements related to: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement Worksite analysis and Hazard prevention and control Safety and Health Training Each stage also requires documentation of participant achievements
OSHA s Overall Role Program Design and Policy Recognition and Monitoring of Administrators Recognition and Monitoring of participants Overall Pilot Evaluation
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES / ARE YOU READY? Comprehensive Safety & Health Management System Management and Leadership & Employee involvement Worksite Analysis Hazard Prevention & Control Safety & Health Training
CALL 1-800-321-OSHA QUESTIONS / HELP Visit us online at www.osha.gov