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  • OSHA seeking public comments on modernizing Voluntary Protection Program

OSHA seeking public comments on modernizing Voluntary Protection Program

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Dear VPPPA Members and Stakeholders,

Today, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published and requested participation in the agency’s Nova Petrópolis VPP Modernization Survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback on OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program and potential changes that could be implemented to “modernize, improve and expand the various pathways that employers can establish and improve their safety and health programs, with the pinnacle being Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).”

This is a comprehensive survey that addresses a wide range of potential changes and enhancements to the program, including:

  • Incentives to participate in VPP;
  • Eligibility criteria;
  • Use of leading indicator metrics to measure SHMS performance;
  • Recognition of consensus standards and other safety & health management systems as components of VPP’s overall SHMS; and
  • Use of third parties to conduct application reviews and audits.

We view can you buy Lyrica from canada this survey as an integral part in achieving our mission and encourage every member, Star site, and those seeking to implement the VPP to take the necessary time to respond to this important survey.

VPPPA works alongside our partners at OSHA to identify ways to enhance the value and impact of VPP as part of our mission to advance health & safety excellence. Because of our relationship with OSHA and our vested interest in the VPP, we will be preparing and publishing a response to the survey.

We appreciate OSHA’s engagement with VPPPA and look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance health and safety excellence.

Sincerely,

Terry Schulte

Director, Safety & Operational Excellence – NuStar Energy LP

Chairperson; VPPPA Board of Directors

Additional details regarding the Voluntary Protection Program’s modernization project can be found in the news release published February 16, 2023, on OSHA’s website.

Download the full news release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Jacqueline "Jackie" Annis is an industrial hygienist with the Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs in OSHA’s National Office.  Jackie’s primary responsibilities include developing and overseeing internal policies and procedures for the VPP, reviewing VPP on-site evaluation reports for process safety management information, serving as the National Office liaison for two of OSHA’s ten Regions, and facilitating the management of OSHA’s National Strategic Partnership Program.  She is an integral part of OSHA’s National Office team. 

She has served with the Agency for 36 years, including five years as a senior industrial hygienist in OSHA’s Office of Health Enforcement, Directorate of Enforcement Programs in the National Office and 17 years as a compliance safety and health officer in the Denver, CO Area Office.  Prior to her tenure at OSHA, Jackie worked as an industrial hygienist for the Department of the Navy in Alameda, California.  Jackie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 1983.

Wayne Howard earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis and has spent 12 years with Shell (at Martinez) refinery, 3 years with the consulting firm Process Safety, 15 years with Valero (at Benicia), and the last 10 years in the Corporate Process Safety Department. He is the Valero representative to AFPM's Advancing Process Safety Initiative.

Nathan Obaugh, PE is a senior engineer in the Safety and Operational Excellence Group at NuStar Energy. Nathan has over 10 years of PSM and process design experience in the petrochemical, refining and midstream industries. At NuStar, Nathan oversees all elements of the corporate PSM program and works directly on hazard analysis, process safety studies, PSM/RMP audits and provides process engineering support to the operations and capital projects groups.

Jared Teter, PhD is a senior staff scientist with a background in physics and hazards analysis. He has extensive experience in subscale testing of energetic materials and has served as program manager for several large testing and risk management projects. He has applied engineering and risk management protocols while evaluating the risk associated with propellant and explosives manufacturing, combustible dust, and other hazardous material related processes.

Tim Belitz has a degree in Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene from Old Dominion University and a Master’s from Duke University. He has over 25 years of Industrial Health Safety and Environmental Experience and is a Certified Safety Professional. He has many years focused on Contractor Management and Process Safety programs.

Rob Walker graduated from Virginia Tech in Microbiology and Chemical Engineering. Rob has almost 35 years of experience working in the chemical plant and refining industry. His passion for Process Safety and Mechanical Integrity began very early in his career. Rob began with his current company, Honeywell, back in 2011.

Prasad Joshi has B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Chemical Engineering from two universities in India. Prasad has over 30 years’ experience in the business. He began with Honeywell in May 2022 as Principal Maintenance Engineer. He has worked internationally in Asia and Europe.