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Message from the Executive Director

Please also view the corresponding news release for more information.

Transcript of the Video Message

Many of you have questions about recent statements made by OSHA concerning funding for VPP. Based on the President’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2011, funding for compliance assistance programs would be reduced. However, this proposed budget still has to be passed by Congress. And Congress has the authority to put money for VPP back in the budget. During my 35 years with OSHA, I’ve seen this happen many times. Support for government programs comes and goes, but in the end, it all evens out. I’m confident that this will be resolved.

As Assistant Secretary Dr. Michaels has stated in his own words: “When you talk to people in industry who are committed to safety, they all have management systems that they use to prevent injuries from occurring, and we’d like to support all employers to do that.”

Michaels then continued to talk about the importance of compliance assistance and said and I quote: “We think the best model for that is the Voluntary Protection Programs. The companies in VPP know how to do it, they’ve made the commitment and put the resources into it, and we certainly support that.”

In fact, both Secretary Solis and Assistant Secretary Michaels have publicly stated their support for VPP and they see the value of the program. Dr. Michaels has invited the association to work with OSHA in finding innovative ways to fund the program and to ensure that it continues to thrive.

While we continue to work closely with OSHA, many VPP sites are contacting their congressional representatives to voice their concerns. This has already received favorable responses and statements of support. Your efforts are essential in ensuring that VPP will not only continue but prosper.

Regardless of OSHA’s current focus, VPP is a safety and health management system that has brought your sites many benefits. The tenants of VPP hold true even when OSHA’s focus turns toward enforcement. Continue to show you support of VPP and reap the benefits of lower injury and illness rates, lower workers’ compensation costs, increased productivity, increased communication between workers and management and an overall improved moral.

VPP is more than a recognition program – it establishes a safety and health culture at your worksite.

We encourage you to keep up your efforts of continuous improvement. VPPPA regional and national conferences offer excellent opportunities to share best practices to improve safety and health for your worksite, keeping the American workforce safe and healthy, which is the only thing that counts at the end of the day.

Thank you.

VPPPA Media Contact:
Sanna Raza
Communications & Outreach Director
Phone: (703) 761-1146 Ext. 311
E-mail: sraza@vpppa.org or Communications@vpppa.org

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