STRIVING TOWARD SAFETY EXCELLENCE

Meeting new people, hearing fresh ideas, and getting feedback, are always a highlight at conferences. This year’s VPPPA Safety+ Symposium offered many opportunities to listen and learn.

OSHA Assistant Secretary David Keeling delivered a keynote address that updated attendees on OSHA’s priorities, current initiatives, and VPP’s significant impact on workplace safety and health.

Keeling shared the work OSHA is doing to strengthen and modernize our Voluntary Protection Programs.

Key updates include:

• Expanding VPP’s Safety and Health Management System from four to seven elements, consistent with OSHA’s current Recommended Practices.
• Modernizing cooperative recognition programs to reflect current best practices while preserving the collaboration of employees at every level in identifying hazards, finding solutions and improving safety practices.
• Recognizing long-term VPP excellence with the VPP Elite for sites who have maintained VPP excellence for more than 15 years. VPP Emeritus recognizes sites that have maintained VPP status for more than 25 years.