ASSP, VPPPA Sign 18-Month Agreement to Help OSHA with VPP Modernization, Growth
The newly signed memorandum of understanding will help further safety and health.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jun 27, 2023
Last week, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) announced that they had entered into an agreement that would allow them to help OSHA with one of their latest initiatives.
Although the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both organizations focuses on furthering safety and health in workplaces, it centers around OSHA’s work of “modernizing and expanding” the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), which was started over 40 years ago, according to a news release.
One of the goals of the MOU, which spans 18 months, is to “provid[e] OSHA with a framework that identifies components of occupational safety and health management system consensus standards that meet requirements for VPP qualification and requalification,” per the news release.
In addition, harping on the growth aspect, efforts will be made by ASSP and VPPPA to “develop recommendations for a construction and demolition-specific VPP,” ASSP said in the news release.
ASSP and VPPPA had positive notes to share about the new agreement.
“We recognize the benefits of collaboration to improve occupational safety and health practices while elevating the voice of the profession,” said ASSP CEO Jennifer McNelly, CAE, in the news release. “We strive to eliminate worker illnesses, injuries and fatalities across the board, as does VPPPA, and safety organizations working together improves the ability to achieve that result.”
Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP, incoming president-elect of ASSP, noted in the news release: “ASSP has received strong support from our members to advocate for the enhancement of the VPP.”
VPPPA Executive Director Chris Williams, CAE, said in the news release, “Many of our VPPPA member employees—myself included—are also ASSP members, so coming together to work toward our shared goal of enhancing workplace safety and health through the Voluntary Protection Programs is a natural fit…By combining efforts to develop pathways for other OHSMS users and underserved industry sectors to take part in the VPP, we can positively impact the program’s long-term future.”
The VPP recognizes employers for their work on “safety and health management systems” and few injury and illness reports, according to its website.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.