In a Federal Register notice published December 8, 2003, OSHA announced a
change in one of the numerous performance measures that it uses to assess
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) applicants and participants.
VPP Star, the highest level of achievement in the agency’s prestigious
recognition program, is limited to companies that have implemented
comprehensive, successful safety and health management systems that protect all
employees. One way OSHA measures a worksite’s success is by comparing its
injury and illness rates to industry average rates – benchmarks -- published
annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Until now, to receive VPP Star approval or reapproval, an applicant or
participant must have had 3-year injury and illness rates below the most recent
year’s BLS industry rates. The new policy provides that an applicant’s or
participant’s rates must be below at least 1 of the 3 most recent years’
published rates. For construction applicants, the revisions affect
qualification for both VPP Star and VPP Merit.
The Federal Register notice, which contains a discussion of the change, is
available at
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=18042. |
Back to Top
www.osha.gov
