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Based on a cooperative relationship between management, labor and government, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) promote worker protection, requiring active employee involvement and management commitment. The VPP process emphasizes the continual identification and elimination of hazards beyond Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

Operated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), OSHA state-plan states and the Department of Energy (DOE), VPP is designed to promote excellence in safety and health by recognizing facilities with outstanding occupational safety and health management systems. As of July 2011, 2,379 sites and 957,308 employees are covered by VPP across the U.S. (map).

Benefits of VPP Participation

• Injury and illness rates at VPP sites on average are 50 percent below industry norms.*
• Fewer injuries and illnesses mean greater profits as workers' compensation premiums and other costs plummet. VPP worksites have saved more than a billion dollars since the federal program began in 1982.*
• Establishment of a cooperative relationship between the worksite and OSHA.
• Increased morale, a feeling of ownership among employees and an improved relationship between labor and management at the worksite.
• Reduced compensation costs, absenteeism and insurance premiums along with the improved labor managment relationship make VPP sites more competitive.
• Participants provide effective input into OSHA's standard setting process, with examples of proven ways to protect workers in their industries.
• Continuous improvement of successful programs through internal and external reviews as part of the VPP process.
• Positive community recognition and interaction.

Additional Resources on VPP

• VPP Works & Saves (PDF)
• VPP Site Success Stories
• OSHA VPP Overview
• OSHA VPP Charts & Statistics
• List of VPP Sites
• Current Unions in VPP

Through stakeholder comments the association works to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of VPP. The VPPPA supports the agencies that balances firm, fair and consistent enforcement with voluntary cooperative efforts.

To further support sites interested in pursuing VPP participation, the association offers the award-winning VPPPA Mentoring Program and the VPP Application Workshop®.

1. STAR - recognizes sites that have distinguished themselves with the highest level of safety and health excellence;
2. MERIT - recognizes sites that have good safety and health programs, but must take additional steps to reach Star quality;
3. STAR DEMONSTRATION - recognizes worksites that have Star quality safety and health programs, but requires demonstration and/or testing of experimental approaches that differ from current Star requirements.

A site that applies for participation in VPP must submit a written application that addresses the major elements of the program: management leadership and employee involvement; worksite analysis; hazard prevention and control; and safety and health training. An onsite review by OSHA officials to evaluate the workplace safety and health program and to interview employees at the facility is the final stage of the application process.

Further information regarding OSHA's VPP can be found on the Agency's Web site at www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html.

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The association works with DOE employees in national and regional offices to promote the department's VPP. DOE officials regularly attend and participate in VPPPA conferences, workshops and meetings.

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VPP programs offered by state-plan states must be at least as effective as federal VPP programs.

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