VPPPA Prioritizes Health & Safety at Annual Safety+ Symposium
Amid an on-going pandemic, VPPPA is assuring attendees of their annual Safety+ Symposium that safety and health is their top priority.
- By Sydny Shepard
- Aug 15, 2022
Amid an on-going pandemic, the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association are assuring attendees of their annual Safety+ Symposium that safety and health is their top priority.
In a statement posted to the VPPPA website, the Association said, “The wellbeing and protection of all Safety+ Symposium attendees is paramount, and VPPPA, along with the District of Columbia and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, are engaged in proactive safety and health measures to ensure that attendees remain protected. Safety+ will adhere to COVID-19 recommendations issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and requirements issued by the government of the District of Columbia, as well as safety & health best practices.”
At present, the District of Columbia remains in a low state of COVID-19 community transmission, but VPPPA knows that safety professionals may have different comfortability levels with others. The Association plans to encourage attendees to participate in their “Green/Yellow/Red” Greeting System.
- Green Wristbands will mean that the attendee feels safe to shake hands and enter into close contact with others.
- Yellow Wristbands will indicate that the attendee would prefer a fist or elbow bump and maintain an acceptable distance from others.
- Red Wristbands will be a visual cue to other attendees that the wearer would like to refrain from physical contact and would prefer space and social distancing.
Hand sanitizer stations will be prominently positioned throughout the Walter E. Washington Convention Center; all attendees are encouraged to make use of these stations. Additionally, 3 KN95 masks per attendee will be available in the swag room.
VPPPA says they will continue to monitor community transmission levels and work with the government of the District of Columbia and leadership at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to adjust health and safety protocols if necessary.
About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the former editor of Occupational Health & Safety.