OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Services
Developed in 1982, OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is an official recognition of the outstanding efforts of sites who have implemented and achieved exemplary occupational safety and health programs. VPP requires management, labor and OSHA to work together to establish a cooperative relationship to develop and implement a comprehensive safety and health management systems.
VPP is US-developed and, by design, has only been deployed in US sites. Similar to ISO and OHSAS certification programs, OSHA acts as a third-party certifying body that produces independent recognition of occupational health and safety performance and issues VPP certifications.
According to OSHA, the average VPP worksite has a Days Away Restricted or Transferred (DART) case rate of 52% below the average for their industry. These sites typically do not start out with such low rates. Reductions in injuries and illnesses begin with management’s commitment to the VPP approach to safety and health management and the challenging VPP application process.
Although VPP is fundamental, systematic, and performance-based, there are minimal performance levels that must be achieved. For example, a site must be in compliance with applicable OSHA regulations and meet certain historical injury/illness rates in order to be considered for VPP certification. In order to maintain VPP certification, VPP participants are re-evaluated by OSHA every three to five years to ensure that the facility continues to improve and expand their safety and health posture. One of the benefits of VPP certification is that sites are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP certification status.
Attaining VPP status is a lengthy process but the benefits could be significant in eliminating hazards and reducing work related injuries and illnesses. Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) has the knowledge and experience to assist in all aspects of the VPP process and achieving VPP certification. Our services are scalable and range from a simplified high-level review of a site’s safety posture to an in-depth review and assistance with management systems, programs and procedures, assessments and gap analyses, employee training, and best practices.
Total’s associates include Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) and Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) trained and experienced in the VPP process. Their broad range of experience allows us the ability to identify and address the needs of the most complex operations and sites.