OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) was initiated in 1982 to recognize workplaces with exceptional safety and health management. VPP was groundbreaking, being among the first programs to employ a management system structure emphasizing management leadership, worker participation, robust hazard identification and control, and training. In the intervening 40+ years, the program has grown to include a wide variety of organizations in many industries. Much has been learned about safety and health management since the VPP requirements were last updated in 1989. OSHA published its Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in 2016 and consensus standards have been published at both the national (ANSI Z10-2019) and international level (ISO 45001-2018).

Given the enormous success of VPP and its potential to save lives and prevent injury and illness, OSHA would like to modernize, expand, and enhance the pathways to VPP. To achieve these goals, OSHA is asking the public to comment on a series of questions to gather input on key issues.

VPP Modernization Listening Session

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will hold a stakeholder meeting June 15, 2023, in Washington, D.C., to discuss how to modernize, improve, and expand the agency's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). The discussion will include comments and suggestions from the public on recommendations and potential avenues for action.

By opening the VPP program to public comments, OSHA seeks input from all perspectives to assist the agency as it modernizes, expands, and enhances the VPP and continues to promote the use of workplace safety and health management systems. OSHA is interested in stakeholders' overall assessment of the performance of VPP, and in identifying opportunities for improvement. OSHA seeks input from stakeholders who have had direct, indirect, and no involvement with VPP facilities.

OSHA specifically seeks comment on a number of questions that can be found here. Although participants may have already submitted comments to the Docket, they may still wish to attend the Listening Session to amplify, explain, or discuss their previously submitted comments.

The meeting will be held June 15, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210. Those wishing to attend must register by June 1 by selecting the Registration button below. Attendees can choose from several levels of participation in the discussion.

For those who may not be able to attend in person, you can attend virtually via Webex. Register online to attend the meeting. Virtual attendees will only be in listening mode; questions and comment opportunities will not be available.

Registration is Closed