VPPPA Endorses OSHA Changes to Voluntary Protection Programs
VPPPA says OSHA's decision to align VPP with its Recommended Practices framework will help employers strengthen safety and health management systems nationwide.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jun 22, 2026
The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA) has voiced support for OSHA's decision to align its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) with the agency's Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs, a move that will require participating sites to adopt seven core elements of effective safety and health management systems.
The changes, outlined in OSHA Directive CSP 03-01-005 and effective June 16, 2026, represent one of the most significant updates to the VPP framework in recent years. In addition to adopting the seven core elements, OSHA's revised Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual includes updated language regarding Medical Access Orders and establishes new VPP Elite and VPP Emeritus recognition levels.
VPPPA Chairperson Terry J. Schulte said the organization views the changes as a positive step in the continued evolution of workplace safety programs.
"VPPPA recognizes that, as part of our collective goal to raise the standard for workplace safety across the United States, the programs we utilize to achieve this must continually evolve," Schulte said in a statement. "OSHA's announcement that its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) will now align with the agency's Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs represents another step forward for VPP and VPPPA members."
OSHA's Recommended Practices framework emphasizes a systems-based approach to occupational safety and health, centered on management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, program evaluation and improvement, and communication and coordination for host employers, contractors and staffing agencies.
According to VPPPA, the association plans to help employers understand and implement the updated requirements through its mentoring programs and the Journey Toward Safety Excellence initiative, which provides organizations with tools and resources to develop world-class safety and health management systems.
"As we have done for more than 40 years, VPPPA stands ready to provide its members and all American workplaces with the resources and expertise to implement the seven core elements outlined in OSHA's Recommended Practices through our mentoring and Journey Toward Safety Excellence programs," Schulte said. "Together, VPPPA, its members and OSHA will work together to help every workplace achieve the levels of safety and health excellence that VPP sites currently represent."
The association said additional guidance and implementation resources will be available during VPPPA's 2026 Safety+ Symposium, scheduled for Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 in Nashville. Educational sessions will focus on helping existing VPP participants adapt to the revised requirements while also supporting organizations pursuing safety excellence through the Journey Toward Safety Excellence program.
VPPPA also plans to offer webinars, process maps, mentoring opportunities and other educational resources following the symposium.
The Voluntary Protection Programs recognize employers and workers who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and have demonstrated excellence in occupational safety and health performance.
Additional information about the Journey Toward Safety Excellence program is available through VPPPA.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.