Virginia makes VPP permanent

Falls Church, VA – Virginia will become the first state in the nation to codify the Voluntary Protection Programs so that it becomes a permanent fixture of the state's workplace safety program, once recently approved legislation is enacted July 1.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) approved the bill March 19.

During a June 3 signing ceremony, McAuliffe was joined by a wide range of supporters, including the Virginia AFL-CIO and Virginia Manufacturers Association.

“Gov. McAuliffe and leaders of the labor and workforce safety sector made history,” Mike Maddox, chairman of the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, said in a press release. “VPP companies do more than save lives; they are more productive, have greater employee satisfaction and give American companies a competitive edge in the global marketplace. We look forward to other states following Virginia’s lead.”

VPP recognizes employers with “exemplary” worker safety and health management systems, and who have an injury and illness rate lower than the industry average. VPP employers are exempt from some compliance inspections.

National legislation to codify VPP was introduced earlier this year. At press time, the bill had been referred to the House Education and the Workforce Committee.