News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

OSHA News Release: [06/21/2005]
Contact Name: Bill Wright
Phone Number: (202) 693-1999
Release Number: 05-1107-NAT

U.S. Postal Service Named First Federal Agency In OSHA’s ‘VPP Corporate’ Pilot Program

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today approved the United States Postal Service (USPS) as the first federal organization in OSHA's “Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Corporate” pilot program.

The Voluntary Protection Programs recognize and promote outstanding workplace safety and health management. USPS joins Georgia-Pacific Corporation as the first two organizations to be formally accepted in the VPP Corporate pilot program, which streamlines the application and onsite evaluation processes for corporations that have made a commitment to VPP.

“The U.S. Postal Service has been a strong partner with OSHA in a variety of cooperative initiatives, and has been an active participant in VPP since 2001,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare during ceremonies at USPS Headquarters in Washington. “The continued commitment to the safety and health of the entire USPS workforce is truly exemplary and worthy of emulation by other corporate entities. We are proud to recognize that commitment and we applaud your willingness to continue to work with us for even safer and healthier workplaces.”

Postmaster General John E. Potter said that the VPP Corporate Pilot initiative is a driving force for the continued safety and health of the more than 700,000 career postal employees at more than 37,000 facilities nationwide. Potter said, “We are committed to working with our partners to achieve safety and health excellence. This initiative is a triple win; our employees benefit, the organization benefits and the country benefits.”

USPS now has 17 worksites actively participating in the VPP. About 100 USPS worksites are expected to apply for VPP designation in 2005, due largely to their commitment to two initiatives launched last year: "OSHA Challenge" and "VPP Corporate." USPS was a charter "Challenge" participant and in April became the first federal organization to successfully complete an evaluation under the VPP Corporate pilot program. The evaluation included key aspects of USPS' safety and health policies, programs and records, as well as interviews with senior managers and executives and labor officials.

USPS visits 142 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider delivering to every address in the nation. USPS delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume, and serves seven million customers each day.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

# # #

_________________________________________________________________