Cooperative Safety & Health Program in California
The Cooperative Safety & Health Protection program, known as the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), offered by Cal/OSHA is a cooperative initiative involving labor, management, and government to enhance workplace safety beyond traditional standards. With only 67 accredited workplaces in California, the VPP sets rigorous requirements for employee safety, health integration, communication, and continuous improvement. Eligibility for the program includes criteria like management commitment, employee involvement, hazard prevention, and maintaining a low DART rate.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Cooperative Safety & Health Protection
Voluntary Protection Program Cal/OSHA offers an alternative way for workplaces to have a safety and health program. It is a cooperative program among labor, management, and government. It requires workplaces to have superior safety and health programs. It goes beyond the traditional inspection and citation process. It relies on continuous improvement. It is based on initiative by employees and management. It is called the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
Voluntary Protection Program The California Voluntary Protection Program (Cal/VPP) is designed to recognize employers and their employees who have implemented safety and health programs that effectively prevent and control occupational hazards. These programs go beyond minimal Cal/OSHA standards and provide the best feasible protection at the site. From Cal/OSHA VPP website
VPP - Background There are only 67 workplaces in California accredited to the VPP program. Those workplaces demonstrate outstanding safety records 80% less injuries and illness than other workplaces It was developed by the California Building Trades Council, National Construction Association, and Cal/OSHA. It was developed first in California in the 1970 s and has been adopted nationally by federal OSHA
VPP Benefits There are rigorous requirements. These are a few: Employee safety and health integrated into company management and planning Policies communicated to all employees Employee recognition Management must be accountable to worker safety and health Means for employees to notify management of safety and health concerns without reprisal
VPP - Benefits Requirements (cont d): Systems for tracking and addressing hazard concerns Monthly inspections by the plant safety and health committee Training in health and safety protection along side task training Annual evaluation of the safety and health program VPP workplaces serve as mentors to other workplaces Full requirements can be found here.
VPP - Eligibility Eligibility for the VPP program: Management Commitment Employee Involvement Worksite Analysis by a Cal/OSHA team of employees and managers Hazard Prevention & Control Health and Safety Training Continual Improvement DART rate 90% below industry average the past 3 years
VPP Are You Ready? Many mines and plants may already be achieving, or have elements in place, of what it takes to qualify for the VPP program. Achieving VPP accreditation may bestow additional recognition and mentoring opportunities for employees and workplaces
VPP Benefit for Employees Continuous improvement in safety practices Reduced injuries Involvement in inspections and hazard identification Safety training integral to task training Increased participation in the health and safety program Increased recognition by the company Increased recognition among peers and by Cal/OSHA High level management involvement
VPP Benefits for Employers Improvement in employee morale and motivation to work safely Improve labor/management relation Reduction in overall injuries and illnesses Higher product quality and work productivity Lower workers' compensation and other insurance costs Comprehensive evaluation by a team of health and safety consultants Networking with government and industry Community recognition and esteemed public image Exempt from some regular inspections, but not accidents or complaints
VPP - Applying Applying for VPP: Submit application by employees and management Initial review of application and site by Cal/OSHA and VPP Special Team Members. Special Team Members are composed of participants from other VPP sites Final on-site evaluation by Cal/OSHA and the Special Team Members, for up to one week Evaluations are by site, not company wide No cost to apply It has taken between 6 months and 6 years for a site to be approved
VPP - Resources These are resources to learn more about VPP: CalOSHA s VPP website VPP Presentation at 2022 CalCIMA Spring Thaw VPP Presentation at 2021 CalCIMA Spring Thaw
