OSHA to host discussion on ’modernizing’ VPP

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a June 15 meeting to discuss “modernizing, improving and expanding” its Voluntary Protection Programs. 

“Established in 1982, OSHA’s VPP recognizes workplaces that demonstrate best practices in safety and health management and serve as industry models,” the agency says in a press release. “In the past 40 years, the program has attracted a variety of organizations in many industries.”

Anyone who wants to attend the meeting must register by June 1. OSHA has multiple questions about the program, including:

• Are there leading indicators for measuring future performance of safety and health management systems?
• How can OSHA encourage more employers to apply to VPP?
• Aside from current customer experience surveys, how can OSHA solicit more frequent and timely feedback on the program?
• Beyond the OSHA Challenge, how can the agency increase the use of effective safety and health management systems by employers not in VPP?
• How can OSHA improve the program’s quality or integrity?
• Given OSHA’s limited resources, how can the agency grow VPP more efficiently?
• In what ways can safety and health consensus standards be used to create pathways for employers to participate in VPP?