Fed-OSHA seeks suggestions for strengthening VPP

Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.”

Fed-OSHA is asking for comments and suggestions from the public on how to accomplish this. Specifically, the agency is looking for ideas on how to:

  1. enhance and encourage the efforts of employers, workers and unions to identify and address workplace hazards through VPP;
  2. support increased participation in VPP while operating with available resources and maintaining the integrity of the program;
  3. modify VPP to enhance the efforts and engagement of longterm participants;
  4. modify Corporate VPP for greater leverage and effectiveness; and
  5. further leverage participant resources such as Special Government Employees.

The meeting will be held July 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Attendees must register by July 10 and can choose from several levels of participation in the discussion. Those unable to attend in person can submit comments until September 15.

The agency also is planning a second stakeholder meeting, tentatively scheduled to occur in conjunction with the VPPPA National Conference the week of August 28th in New Orleans, Louisiana.