Achieving Safety and Health Achieving Safety and Health Excellence Through the Excellence Through the

Voluntary Protection Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)Programs (VPP)

Mike LevyRegion 2 VPP Manager

OSHA’s Tool KitOSHA’s Tool Kit

StandardsStandards Enforcement Enforcement Education, Training, and OutreachEducation, Training, and Outreach Cooperative ProgramsCooperative Programs

Voluntary Protection Programs (Goal is Voluntary Protection Programs (Goal is 8,000 sites)8,000 sites)

Consultation Program and SHARPConsultation Program and SHARP Strategic PartnershipsStrategic Partnerships AlliancesAlliances

OSHA’S 2003-08 GOALSOSHA’S 2003-08 GOALS Reduce workplace fatalities by 15%Reduce workplace fatalities by 15% Reduce workplace injuries and illness Reduce workplace injuries and illness

by 20%by 20% Annual GoalsAnnual Goals

Three percent drop in construction fatalities One percent drop in general industry fatalities Four percent drop in injuries and illnesses in construction, general industry, and specific industries with high hazard rates (e.g., landscaping/horticultural services, oil and gas field services, blast furnace and basic steel products, ship and boat building and repair

What is VPP?What is VPP?

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) are designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health management. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace that has implemented a strong program.

VPP ConceptVPP Concept

The VPP concept recognizes that compliance enforcement alone can never fully achieve the objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Good safety and health management programs that go beyond OSHA standards can protect workers more effectively than simple compliance.

Safety

& Health

Program

Who Participates in VPP?Who Participates in VPP?

VPP participants are a select group of facilities that have designed and implemented outstanding safety and health programs.

Star participants meet all VPP requirements. Merit participants have demonstrated the potential and willingness to achieve Star program status Star Demonstration – special situations and/or industries – equal to Star

Three ProgramsThree Programs

Highest level of recognitionHighest level of recognition All VPP requirements metAll VPP requirements met System operating at least one yearSystem operating at least one year Rates are below the National AverageRates are below the National Average

Star

Three ProgramsThree Programs

Elements and sub-elements in placeElements and sub-elements in place Systems may not all be at Star quality Systems may not all be at Star quality Rates may be above the National AverageRates may be above the National Average Limited to one 3-year term Limited to one 3-year term

Merit

Three ProgramsThree Programs

Must meet Star requirementsMust meet Star requirements Alternative safety and health methods Alternative safety and health methods Current Demos:Current Demos:

Short-term ConstructionShort-term Construction Mobile WorkforceMobile Workforce Federal ContractorFederal Contractor Resident contractor inResident contractor in

non-VPP sites non-VPP sites

Star Demonstration

All approved participants in the Voluntary Protection Programs are required to have implemented safety programs and to meet all relevant OSHA standards. Participation will not diminish either employer or employee rights or responsibilities under the Act or Executive Order 12196 for Federal Agencies.

RIGHTS AND RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES

Why Pursue VPP?… To Prevent Why Pursue VPP?… To Prevent Accidents and Save Money!Accidents and Save Money!

The average lost-time injury cost The average lost-time injury cost $30,000$30,000!…..!….. (The National Safety Council)(The National Safety Council)

Each heavy construction injury or Each heavy construction injury or illness equals 8-9 lost workdaysillness equals 8-9 lost workdays!…….!…….((U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics))

Work injuries cost Americans $131.2 billion Work injuries cost Americans $131.2 billion in 2000, exceeding the combined profits of in 2000, exceeding the combined profits of the top 13 Fortune 500 companiesthe top 13 Fortune 500 companies!….. !….. (The (The National Safety Council)National Safety Council)

AccidentsAccidents It takes a minute to write a safety rule.It takes a minute to write a safety rule. It takes an hour to hold a meeting.It takes an hour to hold a meeting. It takes a week to develop a safety program.It takes a week to develop a safety program. It takes a month to put it in operation.It takes a month to put it in operation. It takes a year to win a safety award.It takes a year to win a safety award. It takes a lifetime to train a safe worker.It takes a lifetime to train a safe worker. It takes one second to destroy it all with one It takes one second to destroy it all with one

accident.accident.

-Author Unknown

Why Pursue VPP?Why Pursue VPP?

Reduced Illnesses and Injuries:Reduced Illnesses and Injuries: On average injury and illness rates at VPP On average injury and illness rates at VPP

sites are 54% below National averages sites are 54% below National averages Cost Savings: Cost Savings:

VPP sites avoided 5,638 injuries in FY2000 VPP sites avoided 5,638 injuries in FY2000 Total cost savings approximately $152 Total cost savings approximately $152

millionmillion

Other Incentives…VPP Other Incentives…VPP Benefits BusinessBenefits Business

Improved employee motivation to work Improved employee motivation to work safely, leading to better quality and safely, leading to better quality and productivity. productivity.

Improvement of programs that are Improvement of programs that are already good, through the VPP already good, through the VPP application process and internal and application process and internal and external reviews.external reviews.

Other Incentives…VPP Other Incentives…VPP Benefits Business, cont’dBenefits Business, cont’d

Recognition in the communityRecognition in the community Competitive edge.Competitive edge. Verification of the safety and health Verification of the safety and health

management system by OSHA.management system by OSHA. Reduced injury and illness rates. Reduced injury and illness rates. Reduced workers' compensation costs.Reduced workers' compensation costs.

VPP Benefits VPP Benefits WorkersWorkers

Go home safeGo home safe Involvement in S&HInvolvement in S&H Pride in work Pride in work Improved morale Improved morale

VPP Benefits OSHAVPP Benefits OSHA

Partners in excellencePartners in excellence Accomplishes OSHA’s missionAccomplishes OSHA’s mission VPP partners serve as models for their industriesVPP partners serve as models for their industries Helps OSHA promote value of safety and health Helps OSHA promote value of safety and health Leverages resourcesLeverages resources Assist in standards development.Assist in standards development.

Provide program resources / mentoring, OSHA Provide program resources / mentoring, OSHA volunteers, training, seminars, WTCvolunteers, training, seminars, WTC

VPP is a Win-Win-Win VPP is a Win-Win-Win Relationship!Relationship!

Trust and cooperationTrust and cooperation Elimination of fearElimination of fear Achievement of a common goal….to prevent Achievement of a common goal….to prevent

worker injuries, illnesses and deaths worker injuries, illnesses and deaths Improved relations between labor, Improved relations between labor,

management, and government management, and government

Principles of VPP Principles of VPP

Focus on individual worksitesFocus on individual worksites Performance-based criteriaPerformance-based criteria Beyond complianceBeyond compliance Self-SufficientSelf-Sufficient Continuous ImprovementContinuous Improvement Effective safety and health Effective safety and health

management systemsmanagement systems

Elements of a Elements of a Comprehensive Safety and Comprehensive Safety and

HealthHealthManagement SystemManagement System

Management Leadership and Employee Management Leadership and Employee InvolvementInvolvement

Worksite AnalysisWorksite Analysis Hazard Prevention and ControlHazard Prevention and Control Safety and Health TrainingSafety and Health Training

Will My Program Will My Program Qualify?Qualify? A Self-Assessment checklist is included A Self-Assessment checklist is included in the VPP information kit. Use the in the VPP information kit. Use the checklist to see if your program meets VPP checklist to see if your program meets VPP criteria.criteria. The checklist covers information about a The checklist covers information about a site’s Lost Workday Rates, Safety and site’s Lost Workday Rates, Safety and Health Program elements, and related Health Program elements, and related topics.topics.

Where do I sign up?Where do I sign up?VPP Application ProcessVPP Application Process

Companies submit an application that includes:Companies submit an application that includes: Management assurancesManagement assurances Written union supportWritten union support Injury and illness ratesInjury and illness rates Description of safety and health management systemDescription of safety and health management system

Application reviewed for completenessApplication reviewed for completeness Company’s previous OSHA history verifiedCompany’s previous OSHA history verified OSHA and the site prepare for the onsite review OSHA and the site prepare for the onsite review

What Paperwork is Involved?What Paperwork is Involved? The application is a summary of the safety and The application is a summary of the safety and health management system.health management system. The focus in not on a single correct way to meet The focus in not on a single correct way to meet VPP requirements, but rather a system that works. VPP requirements, but rather a system that works. Some successful programs involve a lot of written Some successful programs involve a lot of written documentation, while others do not.documentation, while others do not. There is some paperwork required in the There is some paperwork required in the application process, but use of existing material is application process, but use of existing material is encouraged.encouraged.

What Do Management & What Do Management & Employees Agree To Do?Employees Agree To Do?

Management agrees to operate an effective Management agrees to operate an effective

program that meets an established set of criteria.program that meets an established set of criteria. Management also agrees to provide OSHA with Management also agrees to provide OSHA with

annual OSHA Log information and an evaluation annual OSHA Log information and an evaluation

report. report. All employees agree to participate in the program All employees agree to participate in the program

and work with management to ensure a safe and and work with management to ensure a safe and

healthful workplace. All unions must confirm healthful workplace. All unions must confirm

their support of the application, if applicable.their support of the application, if applicable.

Onsite EvaluationOnsite Evaluation

An OSHA Team visits the siteAn OSHA Team visits the site Typically lasts 3-5 daysTypically lasts 3-5 days Evaluation consists of: Evaluation consists of:

Opening ConferenceOpening Conference Document ReviewDocument Review Walkthrough of WorksiteWalkthrough of Worksite Employee and Management InterviewsEmployee and Management Interviews Closing ConferenceClosing Conference

Draft Report and Team’s Recommendations Draft Report and Team’s Recommendations for one of three programsfor one of three programs

Documentation ReviewDocumentation Review

Baseline surveysBaseline surveys Hazard analysesHazard analyses Preventive Maintenance recordsPreventive Maintenance records Training recordsTraining records Records of employee involvementRecords of employee involvement Program evaluationsProgram evaluations

Site TourSite Tour

Follow entire work process where Follow entire work process where possiblepossible

Note hazard categoriesNote hazard categories Note needed improvementsNote needed improvements Suggest improvements – establish Suggest improvements – establish

timeline for correctionstimeline for corrections

InterviewsInterviews

Formal – to determine the perception of Formal – to determine the perception of all levels of employees regarding the all levels of employees regarding the effectiveness of each element of the effectiveness of each element of the safety and health program.safety and health program.

Informal – to determine the employees’ Informal – to determine the employees’ knowledge of safety and health knowledge of safety and health procedures and policies.procedures and policies.

Closing ConferenceClosing Conference

Team recommendation for one of three Team recommendation for one of three findingsfindings

Presentation of site review findingsPresentation of site review findings Presentation of draft reportPresentation of draft report

Celebration!Celebration!

New approvals by New approvals by Assistant Assistant Secretary Secretary

Re-approvals at Re-approvals at Regional LevelRegional Level

VPP CeremonyVPP Ceremony

Continuous ImprovementContinuous Improvement

Annual Self-EvaluationAnnual Self-Evaluation On-going dialogueOn-going dialogue OSHA re-visits the site every three to OSHA re-visits the site every three to

five years. (12 –18 months for Merit five years. (12 –18 months for Merit sites)sites)

VPP Sites Stay Involved!VPP Sites Stay Involved!Program InnovationsProgram Innovations

Mentoring

Special Government Employees

VPPPA

Where Can I Get More Where Can I Get More Information?Information?

The VPP Manager in your Regional OfficeThe VPP Manager in your Regional Office can provide you with a VPP information kit can provide you with a VPP information kit and help with questions about the program.and help with questions about the program.

Mike Levy

Office: 518-464-4338

levy.michael@dol.gov

Information is also at: www.osha.gov