Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/860755
20 PalletCentral • July-August 2017 palletcentral.com SAFETY n July 17, 2017, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) held a public stakeholder meeting at agency headquarters to discuss the future of its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The VPP had fallen into disfavor during the Obama administration, with few new VPP sites approved during the previous eight years, and delays of as much as five years in reapproving existing VPP companies. OSHA now seeks to recalibrate the program, so it "remains a brand synonymous with safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth." There will be a second stakeholder meeting on August 28, 2017, in New Orleans, and interested parties can also submit comments on the VPP initiative to OSHA through September 15, 2017, via http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=OSHA-2017-0009 (reference Docket OSHA-2017-0009). There are several types of Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), which OSHA uses to promote effective π-based safety and health. In VPP, management, labor, and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on: hazard prevention and control; worksite analysis; training; and management commitment and worker involvement. Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. OSHA approves qualified sites to one of three programs: • STAR: Recognition for employers and employees who demonstrate exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of occupational safety and health hazards through the development, implementation and continuous improvement of their safety and health management system. • MERIT: Recognition for employers and employees who have developed and implemented good safety and health management systems but who must take additional steps to reach Star quality. • DEMONSTRATION: Recognition for employers and employees who operate effective safety and health management systems that differ from current VPP requirements. This program enables OSHA to test the efficacy of different approaches. To participate, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. Union support is required for applicants represented by a bargaining unit. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the programs. O OSHA's VPP Program Reboot Anticipated By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP