VPP WISHA’S VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAM John Geppert Division of Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program Cooperative Programs Supervisor

VPP VPP: A Path for Achieving Safety and Health Excellence  Recognize and Promote Effective safety and Health Management.  Cooperative relationship between Management, Labor, and WISHA  Proactive Approach to Safety  Continuous Improvement Process

VPP VPP Contact  Ken Werenko with the Department of Labor & Industries, Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH), Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Specialist, Phone (360)

VPP To Learn:  What is VPP?  What are the benefits of participating in VPP?  What is required to participate in the VPP?  What are the elements of VPP?  What is the VPP application process and onsite evaluation?  What resources are available to sites interested in applying for VPP status?  What are some new ideas to take back to your site on how to obtain VPP status? Overview Objectives

VPP  VPP sites serve as models of excellence and mentor other companies.  VPP promotes innovations and facilitates expansion of cooperative programs  VPP fosters a cooperative learning environment - Assistance in their efforts to reach safety & health excellence. VPP PHILOSOPHY

VPP KEY CONCEPTS THE VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAM (VPP)  Safety and health management systems that go beyond the WISHA standards can protect workers more effectively.  WISHA encourages, supports, and recognizes voluntary improvements and expansions to worker protection programs.  VPP participation demonstrates leadership in safety and health.  Participants have successfully implemented a high quality safety and health program.

VPP INDUSTRIES IN VPP Nationally representing over 1500 sites out of approximately 7.2 million worksites (29 Sites) l Size Independent l 47% Have < 200 Employees l Smallest Employer: 6 Employees l Largest Employer: 17,700 Employees + 14,000 Contract Employees

VPP WHAT IS DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A COOPERATIVE EFFORT?  MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT.  EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION.  WISHA VERIFIES, EVALUATES, AND RECOGNIZE VPP PATICIPATION.

VPP “STAR” VPP  DESIGNED FOR WORKSITES WITH COMPREHENSIVE, SUCCESSFUL SAFETY & HEALTH PROGRAMS  OPEN TO ANY COMPANY WITH INJURY/ILLNESS INCIDENCE AND DAYS AWAY/RESTRICTED WORK ACTIVITY RATES BELOW THE INDUSTRY'S NATIONAL AVERAGE  STAR PARTICIPANTS ARE EVALUATED ONSITE EVERY THREE YEARS, & WITH ANNUAL INJURY RATE REVIEWS

VPP WISHA MERIT VPP  THIS TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM IS OFFERED AFTER A STAR APPLICATION HAS BEEN DETERMINED AS NOT MEETING THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, BUT WISHA DETERMINES THE EMPLOYER HAS DEMONSTRATED THE COMMITMENT AND POTENTIAL TO ACHIEVE THE STAR REQUIREMENT WITHIN TWO YEARS.  MERIT IS USED TO SET GOALS, THAT WHEN ACHIEVED, WILL QUALIFY THE SITE FOR STAR PARTICIPATION.  APPLICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED FOR MERIT VPP.

VPP WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?  IMPROVED EMPLOYEE MORALE  REDUCED INJURIES/ LOST WORKDAYS  FINANCIAL SAVINGS  PUBLIC RECOGNITION  COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT  CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT  PARTNERSHIP WITH DOSH

VPP WORKSITES’ IMPROVE THEIR RECORDABLE AND LWDI BY 35% WA’s average result are LOWER compared to national rates  47 % Total recordable incident rate  59 % Days away/restricted work incident rate

VPP KEY ELEMENTS OF THE VPP  MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP  EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT  WORKSITE ANALYSES  HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL  TRAINING

VPP VPP Application Process with estimated timeline Commitment by company representatives to VPP Company rep. counseled on application preparation Application reviewed by WISHA VPP rep (1-2 mo) Company rep. and WISHA prepare for on-site review On-site review conducted (3-7 days) Hazard & 90 day list items addressed/verified (1 –4 mo) Report submitted to WISHA AD for concurrence (1-2 mo) Report approved by Director of Labor & Industries (1 mo) Director sends congratulatory letter Company rep. and Union notified Company rep. completes & submits application Application returned for revision OR accepted Report submitted to company rep. for review (1 mo) Company rep. can withdraw at any time 5 to10 months for process

VPP WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TEAM COMES ONSITE FOR VPP  ONSITE VERIFICATION TEAM (FOUR EVALUATORS/CONSULTANTS)  ONSITE THREE TO FIVE DAYS  TEAMS REVIEW STEPS

VPP TEAMS REVIEW STEPS  INITIAL MEETING  DOCUMENT REVIEW  WALKTHROUGH  INTERVIEWS - Formal / Informal  CLOSING MEETINGS  DRAFT REPORT / RECOMMENDATION

VPP Congratulations!!!!!  Approval by the Director of Labor & Industries

VPP SUGGESTED STEPS TOWARDS ACHIEVING VPP STATUS  RESEARCH AND FACT FINDING ABOUT VPP.  DETERMINE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT FROM MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES.  COMMIT TO VPP.  ASSESS & IMPROVE PROGRAMS AS NECESSARY.  PREPARE VPP APPLICATION.  SUBMIT VPP APPLICATION.  APPLICATION REVIEWED, AMMENDED IF NECESSARY AND ACCEPTED.  SCHEDULE ONSITE EVALUATION VISIT.

VPP HELP IS AVAILABLE  VPPPA  (703) (8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST)  Networking, Mentoring, and Outreach   OSHA  WA-WISHA

VPP Electronic Resources  VPPPA website:  OSHA website:  DOE website:  DOE VPP Homepage:  Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website:  Federal Register Updates: slc.gov/FedReg_osha_data/FED A.htmlhttp:// slc.gov/FedReg_osha_data/FED A.html  VPP Policies and Procedures: Resources

VPP WISHA’S VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAM Questions?