1. Achieving Safety and Health Excellence Through the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
Susan Jordan Sikes, OSHA
Regional VPP Manager

2. OSHA Origin, Mission, and
Functions
1970: Occupational Safety and Health Act passed
1971: OSHA Began Inspections
Mission: Ensure safe and healthful workplaces by:
Developing and enforcing standards
Assisting and encouraging the States
Providing for research, information, education and training
Encouraging employers and employees in their efforts to reduce hazards, institute new, and perfect existing programs

3. OSHA’s Tool Kit Standards Enforcement
Education, Training, and Outreach
Cooperative Programs
Voluntary Protection Programs
Consultation Program and SHARP
Strategic Partnerships
Alliances

4. What is VPP?
A process for achieving safety and health excellence by implementing safety and health management systems
Labor – Management - Government Cooperation
Official recognition of excellence
Began in 1982

5. Why Pursue VPP?… To Prevent Accidents and Save Money!
The average lost-time injury cost $30,000!….. (The National Safety Council)
Each heavy construction injury or illness equals 8-9 lost workdays!…….(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Work injuries cost Americans $131.2 billion in 2000, exceeding the combined profits of the top 13 Fortune 500 companies!….. (The National Safety Council)

6. Why do workplace injuries cost so much?
Direct Cost:
Out of pocket expenses not expected under normal cost of doing business
Indirect Cost:
Those cost not directly related to the injury, but which occur as a result of the injury

7. Accident Costs and Impact on Sales
Type Avg Avg. Total$ Sales Needed
Injury Direct$ Indirect$ 3% %
Amputation $21, $23, $45, $1,520,260 $912,156
Burn $ 3, $ 6, $10, $ 333,320 $199,992
Carpal T $ 8, $ 9, $18, $ 609,033 $365,420
Foreign Body $ $ 1, $ 1, $ 58, $ 34,870
Laceration $ 1, $ 4, $ 6, $ 201, $121,110

8. Safety Delivers a Return on Investment!
Liberty Mutual Survey
Survey shows 61 percent of executives say $3 or more saved for each $1 invested in workplace safety
95 percent of executives surveyed believe workplace safety has a positive impact on a company's financial performance

9. Why Pursue VPP? Reduced Illnesses and Injuries: Cost Savings:
On average injury and illness rates at VPP sites are 54% below National averages
Cost Savings:
VPP sites avoided 5,638 injuries in FY2000
Total cost savings approximately $152 million

10. Other Incentives…VPP Benefits Business
Decreased turnover and absenteeism
Increased productivity
Exempt from programmed OSHA inspections
Networking with the best
Community recognition
Models of excellence
Competitive Edge

11. VPP Benefits Workers Go home safe Involvement in S&H Pride in work
Improved morale

12. VPP Benefits OSHA Partners in excellence Accomplishes OSHA’s mission
More successful than compliance alone
VPP partners serve as models for their industries
Helps OSHA promote value of safety and health
Leverages resources

13. VPP is a Win-Win-Win Relationship!
Trust and cooperation
Elimination of fear
Achievement of a common goal….to prevent worker injuries, illnesses and deaths
Improved relations between labor, management, and government

14. Who’s in VPP? Federal & State
As of 3/20/03

17. Union Sites & NonUnion

18. Who’s in VPP? Join the ranks of such employers as……
BP Chemical
BF Goodrich Aerospace
Delta Airlines
Dow Chemical
Duracell Global
Exxon-Mobil
Frito-Lay
General Electric
Georgia-Pacific
IBM Corporation
International Paper
Lockheed Martin
Motorola
Nabisco
NASA
NutraSweet
Occidental Chemical
Rockwell Automation
Sherwin-Williams
Solutia
Space Gateway Services
Texaco
Tropicana
Tobyhanna Army Depot
United Space Alliance
US Postal Service

19. VPP Eligibility
Available in all industries and federal agencies where OSHA has jurisdiction
Also available in States with their own VPP

20. VPP in State Plan States
WASH
OREG
CALIF
NEV
WYO
UTAH
ARIZ
N. MEX AK
MINN
IOWA
MICH
IND KY
TENN VA NC SC VT MD NY CT ME NH
MASS RI PA NJ
OHIO WV
IDAHO
MONT
N. DAK
S. DAK
NEBR
COLO
KANS
WIS
ILL MO
OKLA
TEXAS
ARK LA
MISS
ALA GA
FLA HI
Federal
Comprehensive
State Plan
State Plan Public Sector Only
States with VPP
Puerto
Rico

21. Growth of VPP (State Plan States)

22. Principles of VPP Focus on individual worksites
Performance-based criteria
Beyond compliance
Self-Sufficient
Continuous Improvement
Effective safety and health management systems

23. Elements of a Comprehensive Safety and Health Management System
Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
Worksite Analysis
Hazard Prevention and Control
Safety and Health Training

24. Where do I sign up? VPP Application Process
Companies submit an application that includes:
Management assurances
Written union support
Injury and illness rates
Description of safety and health management system
Application reviewed for completeness
Company’s previous OSHA history verified
OSHA and the site prepare for the onsite review

25. Onsite Evaluation An OSHA Team visits the site
Typically lasts 4-5 days
Evaluation consists of:
Opening Conference
Document Review
Walkthrough of Worksite
Employee and Management Interviews
Closing Conference
Draft Report and Team’s Recommendations for one of three programs

26. Three Programs Star Highest level of recognition
All VPP requirements met
System operating at least one year
Rates are below the National Average

27. Three Programs Merit Elements and sub-elements in place
Systems may not all be at Star quality
Rates may be above the National Average
Limited to one 3-year term

28. Three Programs Demonstration Must meet Star requirements
Alternative safety and health methods
Current Demos:
Short-term Construction
Mobile Workforce
Federal Contractor

29. Celebration! New approvals by Assistant Secretary
Re-approvals at Regional Level
VPP Ceremony

30. Continuous Improvement
Annual Self-Evaluation
On-going dialogue
OSHA re-visits the site every three to five years. (12 –18 months for Merit sites)

31. VPP Sites Stay Involved! Program Innovations
VPPPA
Mentoring
Special Government Employees

32. Additional Assistance
Web Sites:
Publications
VPP Policies and Procedures Manual
Federal Register Notice
Brochure
Training
OSHA Training Institute- Course #245.
Special Government Employees Course-if you qualify.