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Copyright 2023 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
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Created in 1982, OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) recognize and partner with businesses and worksites that show excellence in occupational safety and health.
Sites are committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards. VPP participants develop and implement systems to effectively identify, evaluate, prevent, and control occupational hazards to prevent employee injuries and illnesses. As a result, the average VPP worksite has a lost workday incidence rate at least 50 percent below the average of its industry, according to OSHA. In return, OSHA removes participants from programmed inspection lists and does not issue citations for standards violations that are promptly corrected. Note: Participation in VPP does not eliminate the rights or responsibilities of employers or employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA enforcement inspections will result from valid complaints, workplace accidents or fatalities, chemical leaks and spills and other significant events.
Scope
All groups covered by OSHA, including federal agencies, are eligible to join the Voluntary Protection Programs. Each worksite that applies must show a commitment to effective safety and health management systems and work to be an industry leader in occupational safety and health.
Regulatory citations
- None
Key definitions
- Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP): Created in 1982, OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) recognize and partner with businesses and worksites that show excellence in occupational safety and health. Management, labor, and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.
Summary of requirements
There are three VPP programs employers may apply for:
- Star. The Star Program is designed for exemplary worksites with comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems. Companies in the Star Program have achieved injury and illness rates at or below the national average of their respective industries. These sites are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards. Star participants are reevaluated every three to five years, although incident rates are reviewed annually.
- Merit. Merit is an effective stepping stone to Star. Merit sites have good safety and health management systems, but these systems need some improvement to be judged excellent. Merit sites demonstrate the potential and the commitment to meet goals tailored to each site and to achieve Star quality within three years. However, each Merit site is limited to one three-year term unless a second term is approved by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Onsite evaluations occur every 18 to 24 months.
- Demonstration. The Star Demonstration program is designed for worksites with Star quality safety and health protection to test alternatives to current Star eligibility and performance requirements. Promising and successful projects are considered for changes to Star requirements. Star Demonstration program participants are evaluated every 12 to 18 months.
Once a site voluntarily applies to VPP, the application will be reviewed by OSHA. If OSHA believes the application demonstrates a safety and health system that potentially meets VPP criteria, OSHA will schedule an on-site evaluation. The multi-stepped on-site review requires about four days, depending on the size of the facility and complexity of the operations. In addition to a review of records, logs, and inspection history, the on-site review includes an initial meeting with management staff and employees, a walk-through of the facilities to determine hazards and precautions, formal and informal interviews, and a closing meeting to discuss findings and recommendations.
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