Organizations to partner to help OSHA modernize safety initiative

The American Society of Safety Professionals on Tuesday announced that it will be collaborating with the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association to advance workplace safety and health, with a focus on assisting the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration in modernizing and expanding its longstanding Voluntary Protection Programs.

OSHA’s efforts recognize employers and workers in the private industry and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. The agency recently announced that it is revamping the programs.

ASSP said its partnership, which comes with an 18-month memorandum of understanding, will help provide OSHA with “a framework that identifies components of occupational safety and health management system consensus standards that meet requirements for VPP qualification and requalification.”

“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,” VPPPA Executive Director Chris Williams said in a statement. “By combining efforts to develop pathways… we can positively impact the program’s long-term future.”