Barab: ‘The state of VPP is good’

Anaheim, CA – OSHA is implementing improvements to its Voluntary Protection Programs in light of criticisms of the program and a recent internal report, assistant OSHA administrator Jordan Barab stated during a recent speech.

“Let me announce to you now that the state of VPP is good,” Barab said during an Aug. 20 address at the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association’s annual meeting.

OSHA has worked on improving the program through strengthened management and establishing internal controls, and most recently completed a memorandum clarifying policy procedures regarding fatalities and enforcement activities at VPP sites, he said.

Recent reports noted that these are areas where the program has suffered. The Center for Public Integrity, a Washington-based investigative news organization, has reported on fatalities occurring at VPP sites with no action being taken, and the Government Accountability Office has issued two reports in the past decade warning of VPP’s too-rapid growth and lack of internal quality controls.

Also in response to GAO’s findings, OSHA established a group to examine the administration of VPP. Barab said the agency was implementing “many” of the group’s recommendations outlined in a November report (.pdf file) recently made available.