OSHA seeks input on how to update safety and health program

The Occupational Safety Health Administration is seeking input on how to update a program set up in 1982 to recognize employers and employees committed to the best safety and health practices.

The Voluntary Protection Program recognizes employers and workers in both private industry and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. The idea is for management, labor and OSHA to work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control; worksite analysis; training; management commitment; and worker involvement.

The program is effective at reducing injuries and illnesses at participant worksites, reducing the number of employees’ days off, OSHA said. The average VPP worksite had a case rate of 53% below the average for its industry for non-construction participants and 60% below the average for its industry for site-based construction and mobile workforce participation for 2020, according to the agency.

OSHA is soliciting public input on how the agency can best honor companies who make exceptional commitments to workplace safety and health and is particularly interested in comments relating to:

• How the program can be aligned more closely with recent occupational safety and health management practices and system standards.
• How the program can contribute to the expansion of the use and effectiveness of safety and health management systems.
• Whether and how resources and tools such as “special government employees,” consensus standards, third-party auditors and other methods could help expand the program’s capacity without compromising effectiveness and oversight.
• Whether particular categories of hazards need special attention in the VPP certification process.

The agency also is looking for feedback about what is working well with the VPP, what could be improved and what isn’t working well. The deadline for comments is April 14.