An Overview of VPP
VPP Benefits
What Happens When OSHA
Comes Onsite for VPP?
When Did VPP Begin?
• 1979 - California began experimental
program
• 1982 - OSHA formally announced the VPP
and approved the first site.
• 1998 - Federal worksites became eligible
for VPP.
Growth of VPP
Federal & State
As of 06/30/2015
Source: OSHA, Office of Partnerships & Recognition
Growth of VPP
Federal Only
As of 06/30/2015
* Number reflects active participants at the close of the calendar year
Source: OSHA, Office of Partnership & Recognition
Top 15 Industries In The VPP
Federal Only
As of 06/30/2015
Number of Sites
Source: OSHA, Office of Partnerships & Recognition
Distribution Of VPP Sites
By State
Federal Only
As of 06/30/2015
Source: OSHA, Office of Partnerships & Recognition
Union & Non-Union VPP Sites
Federal Only
As of 06/30/15
Source: OSHA, Office Partnerships & Recognition
VPP Benefits Business
• Decreased turnover and absenteeism
• Increased productivity
• Exempt from programmed OSHA inspections
• Networking with the best
VPP Benefits Business
• Models of excellence
• Competitive edge
• Fewer injuries and illnesses mean greater
profits
VPP Benefits Workers
• Go home safe
• Involvement in Safety
•
•
& Health
Pride in work
Improved morale
How Does VPP Benefit OSHA?
• OSHA gains a corps of ambassadors
enthusiastically spreading the message of
safety and health system management.
• These partners provide OSHA with valuable
input and augment its limited resources.
How Does VPP Benefit OSHA?
• As part of its efforts to share the
benefits of cooperative programs, the
VPPPA works closely with OSHA and State
Plan States in the development and
implementation of cooperative programs.
• Particularly noteworthy is the OSHA
Special Government Employees Program
(SGE), where qualified volunteers from VPP
sites work alongside OSHA employees as
team members on VPP onsite evaluations.
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
How to Prepare:
• An applicant will first have to conduct a thorough and
detailed review of your worksite safety and health program,
making sure you meet the required elements. Any
deficiencies must be corrected. All elements should have
been in place at least one year.
• The application itself will require you to describe your
program in detail, addressing the required elements.
• After reviewing and accepting the application, OSHA will
schedule an on-site review of your program. Fines will not
be issued for violations noted, but you must agree to correct
any violations noted.
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Day One - Opening Conference
 Introduction
 Suggested
Site Presentations
- Emergency response procedures
- An overview of the site’s
operations
- A description of significant changes
since the last evaluation or
application was submitted
- A description of safety and health
management system elements the
site perceives to be best practices

OSHA Team Presentation
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Daily Closing
-At the end of each day, the OSHA VPP team will
meet to discuss their findings and to plan their work
for the next day.
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Day Two - Documentation Review
-
The team will review the documentation of all
aspects of the safety and health program to
determine if they meet or continue to meet the
requirements for VPP.
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Day Three -Employee Interviews &
Comprehensive Facility Walkthrough
-
The site tour is conducted to ensure that the
safety and health program is implemented as
described in the documents reviewed and that the
system is effective for protecting employees.
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Day Four – Tie Up Loose Ends/ Compile
Report
-
Prior to the closing conference, the team will meet
to decide what their recommendation will be and to
write the first draft of the onsite reports.
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Day Five - Closing Conference
- Site management and employee representatives will
receive a formal briefing, usually called the closing
conference, at the conclusion of the onsite review.
Audit Week-What Can You Expect?
• Corporate Site and Compressed Evaluations
- 1 ½ to 2 days
- Compressed Evaluation could last entire week or could
be rescheduled in major deficiencies are found in the
safety and health management system.
Preparing For the Evaluation
• Documents for review should be readily
available, organized and appropriately
labeled in the room set aside for the
review team.
• Develop a list of significant safety and
health program changes since the last
OSHA onsite VPP evaluation or any since
the application was submitted.
• Set aside a private room for formal
interviews.
Preparing For the Evaluation
• Be prepared to correct any hazard
immediately.
- Corrective Action Plan
• Take before and after photos to document
any hazards and abatement.
• Assign each OSHA team member a contact
person/escort.
Preparing For the Evaluation
• Working Lunches
• Review the OSHA VPP Evaluation
Worksheet prior to the evaluation.
• If you are not a Special Government
Employee (SGE), join right away and
assist OSHA with VPP evaluations.
What Can You Expect After the
Evaluation
• Team leader submit a report to the VPP Manager for the
Regional Administrator’s decision on a recommendation
or approval.
• Team leader submit a final draft of the onsite report to
the Regional VPP manager.
• Site notified of the approval by the Assistant Secretary
or Regional Administrator.
Future of OSHA’s VPP
• Re-evaluations
• New Applicants
• Continuous Improvement to VPP
VPP Information
www.osha.gov/vpp
• VPP Application Packets
Site based
Mobile workforce
Corporate
• VPP Federal Register Notice, January 9, 2009
• Policies & Procedures Manual (CSP 03-01-003)
• VPP Application Supplement For Sites Subject to the PSM
Standard
• VPP Report and Worksheet Templates
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–
–
–
Site based
Mobile workforce
Corporate
C-FOP and CRP
Additional Assistance
• Web Sites:
– www.osha.gov/vpp
– www.regionivvpp.org/
– www.vpppa.org
Questions?