Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Application Development & Assessments

Businesses who work hard to position themselves as a safe and healthful workplace continuously look for ways to improve. Some update their programs, find new ways to reward employees for individual contributions in safety, implement Best Practices learned from other businesses, and then there are those that want outside recognition. The recognition they seek goes beyond industry peers and requires a regulatory review. The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) was developed by OSHA and is one of the recognition programs for employers with a safety and health culture built around four (4) core elements:

1. Management leadership and employee involvement;
2. Worksite analysis;
3. Hazard prevention and control; and
4. Safety and health training.

Taking a step towards VPP starts with the application process, a formal review of the application by OSHA personnel, and an on-site assessment to verify policies, procedures, and programs are in place per the application. If successful, the business must send in annual reports, self-audits, with injury/illness logs and documentation to support improvements made since the last inspection.