Longtime VPPPA supporter EHS Today will be hosting their annual Safety Leadership Conference October 20-22 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Resort & Spa. This event brings together top C-suite and leaders in EH&S to share best practices and the business case for world-class safety and health performance. EHS Today Editor-in-Chief Dave Blanchard sat down recently … EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference Emphasizes Business Case for Safety
The Safety+ Symposium 2025 proved to be an outstanding success. From August 11-14, 1,300 people enjoyed the symposium in St. Louis, MO. Participants included event attendees, sponsors, and vendors. The conference halls were filled with collaborative energy, with vendors showcasing the latest innovations in workplace safety, eager attendees, and wonderful sponsors who made the event … Safety+ Symposium 2025
Resources to Supplement Enhanced Compliance Assistance Efforts Announced by OSHA St. Louis, MO — August 12, 2025 — The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) today announced new safety and health resources designed to help companies and sites achieve total safety excellence. VPPPA’s new “Journey Toward Safety Excellence” program was unveiled during the opening general … VPPPA Announces New “Journey Toward Safety Excellence” Program
Contributor: Christopher Clanton, Technical Co-Founder, CLEAR Audit Management The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) have long stood as a benchmark for excellence in workplace safety and health. Since its inception in 1982, VPP has recognized employers and workers who implement effective safety and health management systems (SHMS) that go beyond … Modernizing OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs: Key Drivers and Strategic Imperatives
Commitment to Advance Occupational Safety and Health Practices Worldwide FALLS CHURCH, VA (June 16, 2025) — The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) North America are proud to announce a strategic alliance to strengthen workplace safety and health through shared expertise, innovation, and education. This collaborative effort marks … VPPPA and IPAF North America Announce Strategic Alliance
Agreement Promotes Technology Solutions for EH&S Programs FALLS CHURCH, VA (June 11, 2025) — The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) is pleased to announce its newest strategic partnership with Clear Audit Management, a digital VPP audit solution that enables current and future VPP sites to modernize, standardize, and maximize processes associated with OSHA’s Voluntary … VPPPA Announces Clear Audit Management as Newest Strategic Partner
Lesli Trahan Chevron Phillips ChemicalSafety Facilitator/VPP Coordinator How did you get involved in safety? My career started in a laboratory, but around 2010 I started working a special assignment as a safety coach. It is a behavioral-based safety program with the company. Over then next couple of years, I spent 50% of my time on … Lesli Trahan – 1st Quarter 2025
FALLS CHURCH, VA (March 26, 2025) — VPPPA is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Magid, a leader in innovative personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety expertise. This collaboration underscores a shared dedication to advancing workplace safety through cutting-edge solutions and forward-thinking strategies. As VPPPA’s newest Sapphire Strategic Partner, Magid brings a wealth of … VPPPA and Magid Partner to Drive Innovation in Workplace Safety
Contributor: Jacob Melancon, ASP When it comes to rescue operations, readiness isn’t just important – it’s everything! Many years ago, when Roco began offering standby rescue services, we used these terms for describing the required rescue response mode – whether it was “Rescue Standby” or “Rescue Available.” This distinction isn’t just a matter of preference; … Rescue Standby vs. Rescue Available: What’s the Difference?
To make this change, simply login to your member portal, and add your new contact. Here is how to do that.
Contributor: Nicole Randall ISEA has released the “Portable Gas Detection Application Solutions” guide, a comprehensive resource designed to help workers and employers navigate the complex landscape of gas detection in a variety of environments. This essential guide outlines key considerations for selecting, using, and maintaining portable gas detectors, which are crucial for protecting workers from … New Guide Released: Portable Gas Detection Application Solutions
Unlock a full year of exclusive benefits valued at over $3,700. Connect with safety-minded professionals through peer networking, meetups, and workshops. Earn rewards by participating in surveys, product reviews, and focus groups. Gain access to the Safeopedia Online Community platform for resource sharing, collaboration, and knowledge management. Enjoy 365-day access to Safety Connect Virtual Conferences … Safeopedia Benefits
Contributor: Nicole Randall Results Reveal the Industry Is at a Turning Point for Head Protection Practices J. Keller & Associate, Inc., a leading provider of safety and compliance solutions, and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) recently joined forces to conduct a comprehensive study on head protection practices and challenges. The results of the study, titled “A … J. J. Keller and ISEA Release Results of Collaborative Study on Head Protection Practices & Challenges
Becoming a sponsor for Safety+ or other VPPPA programs such as webinars, Labor Summits, or blogs enables you to promote your brand in front of the best of the best in workforce protection.
By exhibiting at Safety+ you can promote your products and services in front of a captive audience who are eager to learn about the newest and best products, services, and technology that can keep their workers safe. Grow your business, make new connections, and meet important decision makers.
We welcome contributions to VPPPA from thought leaders in the field of safety, health and the environment. Membership is not a requirement to sharing your content in the Leader magazine or the monthly On The Level newsletter. We’d love to hear from you. Please reach out!
From government, military, oil and gas, manufacturing and construction sectors and more, companies who are members of VPPPA run the gamut of business community. They all have one common denominator: Dedication to advancing safety and health excellence in their workplace.
VPPPA’s Marketing Guide is a fantastic way to learn about the numerous opportunities to promote your company to the safety and health community. From advertising in our Leader magazine and other digital platforms to symposium sponsorships to having your company logo on t-shirts and water bottles, we have great ways to increase your brand awareness … How can I promote my company through VPPPA?
The goal of VPPPA’s Strategic Partner Program is to leverage our members’ status as the “best of the best” in advancing health and safety excellence by: The benefits of a partnership with VPPPA include year-round branding on our events, website and publications, complimentary registrations, and opportunities to produce professional development and product offering content. Learn … How can I become a partner with VPPPA?
You can find it on the upper right corner of your membership invoice.
We can help you with that. Please contact membership@vpppa.org or call 703-761-1146, and we can make sure to have you designated as the main contact and/or billing contact for your company. Contact us today.
We are always interested in hearing from you and learning about your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Visit our Contact Us page. Please reach out!
The benefits of membership include significant discounts to VPPPA events such as Safety Plus and regional conferences, not to mention discounts on advertising, educational opportunities, safety and health assessments and more. Visit Membership to see how you can save!
VPPPA is developing a Mentorship Program that will connect companies aspiring to become VPP Star Sites or increase the quality of their workplace safety and health with experienced experts nearby. Please let us know if you want mentorship support and we will find experts in your area that can help you.
Staying on top of breaking news and developing trends in the safety and health community is easy. Just sign up to VPPPA’s On The Level newsletter and get monthly updates on information vital to you for your safety and health improvement journey.
The Safety Star of the Quarter Award is designed to recognize and elevate outstanding members whose contributions reflect a commitment to safety, innovation, and alignment with the values of our association. This recognition provides a platform to highlight achievements, promote best practices, and showcase leadership within the industry. Visit VPPPA’s Safety Star of the Quarter … What is the Safety Star of the Quarter award?
One of the rewards of a VPPPA membership includes entrance to previously held events including educational materials from past Safety Plus conferences. Your access to our vast archive of educational resources is available by logging into your Member Portal.
Regional events are a great way to network with workplace safety and health leaders who are both experts and your neighbors. Each region hosts regularly scheduled events, and you can visit Regions to find an event near you. Visit your region now to find what’s coming up for 2025!
We recognize excellence in advancing safety and health in the workplace for individuals and companies, and the VPPPA Annual Awards provides our selectees with national recognition at the annual Safety Plus conferences. Visit VPPPA’s Awards to see categories, selection criteria, deadlines and recent award winners.
For almost 40 years, VPPPA has set the standard for educational excellence on workplace safety and health. If you have a topic that you think will be of interest to our community, we want to hear from you. We are interested in discussions on executive leadership, mental health and psychological safety, technology, and more. Visit … How do I submit a proposal for a conference presentation?
Membership is not a pre-requisite for attending a VPPPA event. We welcome all companies and individuals interested in improving the safety, health and wellbeing of their workplace locations. Visit Events to find experiences that you’ll want to have.
Providing access to financial assistance for education is a guiding principle of VPPPA. We provide scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in the safety, health or environmental fields. See our Scholarships section to learn more about eligibility requirements.
With the Safety Plus annual conference, Regional Events and webinars, VPPPA has experiences designed to meet your needs. For more than 30 years, Safety+ has been the only national event designed to help companies improve safety and health excellence. Visit us in St. Louis for the 2025 Safety+ in August! Our Regional Events feature workshops, … Where can I find upcoming VPPPA events?
Becoming a member of VPPPA is easy. Reinvesting in membership is just as fast and easy. Visit Membership to get started.
VPPPA is the premier safety and health organization. We offer our members networking with industry professionals, mentoring, and educational opportunities. Learn more here.
Regional events are a great way to network with workplace safety and health leaders who are both experts and your neighbors. Each region hosts regularly scheduled events, and you can visit Regions to find an event near you. Visit your region now to find what’s coming up for 2025!
VPPPA has ten regional chapters that include all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. VPPPA regions are aligned with the regional structure that has been established by OSHA. Land on our Regions section to learn which region has been established for your location.
For more than three decades, the Safety+ Symposium has been the premiere educational and professional development event for the safety and health community. Safety+ provides attendees with the education, networking, products and services they need to bring their safety and health programs beyond compliance to excellence. From C-Suite executives to frontline workers, Safety+ attendees represent … What are the benefits of attending the Safety+ Symposium?
VPPPA offers memberships that are ideal for any workplace location from sites that is seeking to attain OSHA’s VPP Star Site status to sites that are beginning their exciting journey to make their workplace safer and healthier to companies that produce products and services that support the enhancement of safety and health. We even have … What are the different membership levels?
The Safety+ Symposium is the only EHS&S event that provides the tools and resources you need to bring your safety and health programs beyond compliance to excellence. With attendees ranging from frontline workers to C-Suite executives, our community offers the unique opportunity to see safety from all angles and better understand its role in the … What is Safety+?
The benefits of membership are numerous and tailored to the type of investment a workplace decides for itself, from discounted registration to the annual Safety Plus and regional conferences to access to educational and professional development resources to discounts on advertising at events and publications, and much, much more. Go to Membership to learn more … What are the benefits of a membership with VPPPA?
Our community of individuals, workplace locations and companies share the same mission: to raise the standard for a safe and healthy working environment. So, we make joining VPPPA fast and easy. To learn more about how to join and what type of membership is ideal for you, visit us at Membership.
Contributor: Dave Miller – Director of Business Development & Membership, VPPPA October 10 marks World Mental Health Day and, in today’s dynamic work environment, mental health and psychological safety are no longer optional considerations—they are essential. As leaders in safety & health, our responsibilities extend beyond managing tasks and processes or overseeing performance. It’s about … The Importance of Mental Health and Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Daryl Butler Jr. Savannah River Nuclear SolutionsRadiological ProtectionChairman of Local Safety Involvement Team and Leaders Emerging Amongst Professionals How did you get involved in safety? My commitment to safety began early when, at 12, I became a student mentor for students with mental disabilities at Paul Knox Middle School. This role taught me to be … Daryl Butler Jr. – 4th Quarter 2024
Contributor: Brannon Aaron, ASP, NRP, Roco Rescue This article was originally published on rocorescue.com on August 13, 2024. August 13, 2024 — With the proposed standard of Subpart J—General Environmental Controls § 1910.148 Heat Injury and Illness up for codification, it may be time to examine some of the proposed changes that may affect indoor … Heat Injury and Illness… Are You Ready to Beat the Heat?
Contributor: Craig Erickson, CEO Safety Rail Company Fall protection is big business. It’s estimated that in 2024, the U.S. market will spend north of $3 billion on guard rails, lanyards, harnesses, lifelines, anchoring systems, etcetera, etcetera. It’s easy to see why the fall protection industry has attracted the attention of so many sales organizations. And … There’s More to Fall Protection than Yellow Paint. Choose Your Safety Partners Carefully.
Contributor: SafeVision Ensuring employee safety is a priority for any business, especially in environments where eye hazards are present. Per OSHA requirements, employers are required to provide necessary personal protection equipment (PPE) for employees working in hazardous environments. This includes ANSI Z87.1 rated safety glasses or other safety eyewear. However, a common challenge faced by … Top 5 Reasons Employees Don’t Wear Safety Glasses on the Job and How to Overcome Them
Contributor: Sturgeon Electric As OSHA VPPPA members we are always striving for continuous safety improvement at Sturgeon Electric Company. We recognize Human and Organization Performance (HOP) is the future of construction health and safety and it has become a driving force in our safety training. HOP focuses on understanding the human element of decision making … Best Practices for Improving Hazard Recognition with the Energy Wheel
Jay Walter Hocutt RSIConstruction Heavy Equipment Program ManagerUnited Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR), Oak Ridge, TN How did you get involved in safety? I have always been cautious when it comes to my actions. As a teenager, my grandfather always told me to weigh the consequences of my actions and how they would affect others. Joining … Jay Walter Hocutt – 3rd Quarter 2024
The renewed co-location of the annual events will offer safety and health professionals expanded opportunities for collaboration, networking, and professional development this August 25-28 in Aurora, CO FALLS CHURCH, VA (June 27, 2024) — VPPPA announced today an agreement with Endeavor Business Media to continue their co-location relationship for 2024. VPPPA’s 2024 Safety+ Symposium will … VPPPA’s 2024 Safety+ Symposium and EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference Continue Co-Location Partnership
Contributor: Kimberly Rodriguez, BSI Consulting This article was originally published on bsigroup.com on May 1, 2024. May 1, 2024 — Organizations are facing supply chain challenges that demand innovative, multi-functional, and collaborative solutions. One often-overlooked approach to addressing these unexpected hurdles is the intentional partnership between environment, health, and safety (EHS) management and supply chain … The Power of EHS-Supply Chain Partnerships
Contributor: Epicore Biosystems Increasing Threat to Worker Safety: Climate change is significantly increasing the risk of heat exposure, putting over 2.4 billion workers at risk of excessive heat exposure during their work, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities annually. Economic Impact of Heat: Rising temperatures not only affect worker health but also lead to substantial economic … Key Takeaways: The Rising Threat of Heat Exposure to Worker Safety
Renowned #1 New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of The Buried Life movement named opening keynote speaker for VPPPA’s 2024 Safety+ Symposium, August 25-28 in Aurora, CO. FALLS CHURCH, VA (May 14, 2024) — VPPPA today announced Ben Nemtin, co-founder of The Buried Life Movement, as the opening keynote speaker for the organization’s 2024 … Ben Nemtin Set to Inspire at VPPPA’s 2024 Safety+ Symposium
Karen Lee K. Kazanecki CintasLocation Health & Safety CoordinatorWilkes-Barre, PA How did you get involved in safety? I spent 10 years as a Firefighter/EMT and obtained a degree in Fire Science Technology prior to joining Cintas. I started giving fire safety presentations at our location because I didn’t want to see my fellow partners go … Karen Lee K. Kazanecki – 2nd Quarter 2024
Contributor: Safety Rail Co. If you’ve spent any amount of time on a commercial roof lately, you know how much is going on up there. It’s a world unto itself. Organizations like Sodexo Roth manage rooftop assets for an ever-expanding portfolio of clients and when it comes to rooftop fall protection, they look to Safety … Sodexo Roth Finds a Savior in SRC
FALLS CHURCH, VA (February 1, 2024) — VPPPA and Roco Rescue have entered into a strategic partnership agreement, marking a significant milestone for both organizations. Roco Rescue, a distinguished leader in technical rescue, is the first to join VPPPA’s recently launched Strategic Partner Program. This collaboration is rooted in the shared commitment to advance health … VPPPA and Roco Rescue Join Forces in Landmark Partnership
Tami L. Keas Central Plateau Cleanup CompanySafety AdministratorRichland, WA / Hanford Site How did you get involved in safety? I began in a temporary role working as a data entry clerk for the Occupational Safety and Industrial Hygiene (OS&IH) department in 2010. One of my roles early on was serving as a recorder for the … Tami L. Keas – 1st Quarter 2024
Contributors from PepTalk: Caitlin Kirwan, Content Writer, and Haelee Reis, Marketing Manager Workplace safety should be a top priority for every organization, but around 340 million work-related accidents still happen across the world every single year. Workplace accidents range from minor slips, trips, and falls to serious incidents that have long-lasting effects on employees and … 3 Tips for Delivering a Successful Safety Stand Down
Julie Smith E & J Gallo Winery (Spirits Plant)Operations AssistantModesto, CA How did you get involved in safety? I was working as the Spirits plant admin and was asked to attend a BBS Safety Committee meeting as a scribe. I enjoyed my participation and learning about safety through the committee and that my role has … Julie Smith – 4th Quarter 2023
Contributor: Lucy Holford-Walker, Sentric Group Global Copywriter and PR The Sentric Group’s Kirk Key Interlock Team recently exhibited at the annual VPPPA Safety+ Symposium, which offered safety professionals the chance to engage and collaborate with fellow industry leaders with the aim of achieving and maintaining on-site safety. With the number of fatal work injuries across the … Mitigating on-site workplace danger and decreasing fatality rates with safety solutions designed to save lives
Contributor: Epicore Biosystems This summer, it has been difficult to begin each day without being confronted by news of record-breaking heatwaves or workers suffering from heat-related injuries when turning on your preferred morning news show or browsing a news website. Despite the current reports of the summer of 2023 being the hottest on record, scientists are … Safeguarding Workers in a Warming World: Heat Challenges and Solutions
Contributor: Chris Williams, CAE, Executive Director, VPPPA To many, Labor Day marks the ceremonial end to summer and one final opportunity to gather with friends and family, fire up the barbecue and, in many parts of the country, enjoy the last vestiges of warm weather before fall and winter set in. Sadly, very few Americans … The True Meaning of Labor Day in the US
Contributor: MSA Safety Confined spaces present unique challenges and risks that safety professionals can help reduce with proper understanding and precautions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2011 to 2018 there were 1,030 workers who died from occupational injuries involving a confined space.1 Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to … Confined Space FAQs
FALLS CHURCH, VA (August 18, 2023) — The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) is proud to announce the launch of its all-new Strategic Partner Program, redefining collaboration in advancing health and safety excellence. This forward-thinking initiative offers an exclusive platform for organizations that align with VPPPA’s mission of raising the standard for safe and … VPPPA Launches Innovative Strategic Partner Program, Raising the Standard for Safe and Healthy Workplaces
Contributor: Chris Williams, CAE, Executive Director, VPPPA OSHA has undertaken its most ambitious effort yet to modernize the Voluntary Protection Program, the gold standard in safety and health management systems. Since 1982, VPP has grown to represent nearly 2,000 high-performing sites across the country who have committed to the program’s core principles of labor involvement, … The Evolution of VPP: Working With OSHA To Map the Future
John Frattali Orange County Sanitation DistrictSafety & Health SupervisorOrange County, California How did you get involved in safety? In the early part of attending college, I worked for a local grocery store in the produce department. I witnessed a coworker slip and fall on the sales floor as a result of water that had accumulated … John Frattali – 3rd Quarter 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 20, 2023) — VPPPA, the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 15 to advance health and safety excellence. The 18-month agreement brings the safety organizations together to focus on assisting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration … ASSP and VPPPA to collaborate on worker safety
Contributor: Columbia Southern University In addition to formal education, a growing number of companies are looking for occupational safety and health specialists who hold professional safety certifications. Many positions in the industry require a bachelor’s degree, and others require a master’s, but certifications can be just as important to companies that prioritize workplace safety and seek to … Safety Certifications: Which Are Right for You?
Contributor: Tom West, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, COSS – VP of Marketing, MākuSafe Haptic biofeedback is a term used to describe the use of physical sensations or vibrations to provide real-time feedback to a user about their behavior. This technology has been touted as a way to promote behavior change, such as encouraging people to sit up straight … Is Haptic Biofeedback Helpful in Correcting Unsafe Behaviors at Work?
Contributor: Son Nguyen – Membership Manager, VPPPA We often get the question – “Do I need to be pursuing VPP Star status to be a member of VPPPA?” or “If my company is no longer a VPP participant, why should I continue my membership?” The answer is: VPPPA’s mission is to advance health and safety … Achieving Safety Excellence with VPPPA Membership
Contributor: Dr. Steve Webb, Founder of Safe Secure Systems, Board-Certified Workplace Violence and Threat Assessment Specialist, and SAFE Training Program Instructor Within the workplace, there are several facets that fall under the category of “safety,” and it is crucial that your worksite’s training address all potential hazards and dangers that employees may encounter on any … Assessing Capacity for Workplace Violence: Are YOU Ready?
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced yesterday the launch of a nationwide competition aimed to raise awareness of the dangers and hazards of heat exposure in both indoor and outdoor workplaces. According to OSHA’s Beat the Heat Contest webpage, the competition has four main goals: Contest submissions are open … US Department of Labor’s OSHA Launches National ‘Beat the Heat’ Contest
Contributor: Ariana Hanaity – Communications Coordinator, VPPPA National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is just around the corner, starting next week from April 17-21. The annual event is observed nationwide and aims to raise awareness and encourage safe driving through highway work zones. NWZAW brings together public agencies, national roadway safety organizations, companies, and individuals … Work Zone Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility
Larry Webb Flint Hills ResourcesHealth and Safety ManagerCorpus Christi, TX How did you get involved in safety? After performing field safety at an entry level for a local contractor, I decided to get a degree in a safety related field. I applied for a night shift job at a manufacturing company in the area that … Larry Webb – 2nd Quarter 2023
Contributor: Ariana Hanaity – Communications Coordinator, VPPPA March is National Ladder Safety Month, an annual event dedicated to promoting ladder safety and preventing ladder-related injuries and fatalities. With falls from ladders being a leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths, it’s essential for employers and workers to understand and follow the Occupational Safety and Health … National Ladder Safety Month: Tips for Employers and Workers
Contributor: Meg Klaers – Program Manager, Walman Optical Safety Eyewear Safety starts by simply seeing the potential hazards in the workplace. The risk of eye injury happens in all types of workplaces. In fact, nearly 40% of work-related eye injuries occur in healthcare, offices, laboratories, and other similar work environments – the remainder occurring in … Safety Starts with Sight
Contributor: Matthew Luman, EHS Program Manager, US Farathane This article was originally published in the Winter 2018 issue of VPPPA’s quarterly magazine, the Leader. In the construction industry, it’s safe to say that women are underrepresented. Even when compared to traditionally male-dominated sectors, women have yet to break through in many areas of construction. Just nine … A History of Powerful Women in Construction
Dear VPPPA Members and Stakeholders, Recently, OSHA published and requested participation in the agency’s VPP Modernization Survey as the agency seeks to, “modernize, improve and expand the various pathways that employers can establish and improve their safety and health programs, with the pinnacle being Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).” VPPPA encourages all of our members and … A Message from Chairperson Terry Schulte – Our Shared Role in Shaping the Future of VPP
Contributor: MākuSafe Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent recorded occupational illnesses for industrial workers. 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year, according to OSHA. The most tragic part of this particular injury is that once the hearing is damaged, it is irreparable. A hearing aid can make … Is New Safety Technology Rendering Your Hearing Conservation Program Obsolete?
Dear VPPPA Members and Stakeholders, Today, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published and requested participation in the agency’s VPP Modernization Survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback on OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program and potential changes that could be implemented to “modernize, improve and expand the various pathways that employers can … OSHA seeking public comments on modernizing Voluntary Protection Program
Contributor: Logan Steffans, EHS/Facilities Supervisor, Collins Aerospace After working in the aerospace industry for five years now—you know that saying ‘time flies’—I’ve had the chance to engage with a plethora of folks on the manufacturing floor, learning their story about what brought them into this field of work and what keeps them coming back year … Ergonomics and the Hierarchy of Controls
Contributor: Chris Williams, CAE, Executive Director, VPPPA This article was originally published by BIC Magazine. To read the original posting of this article, click here. Now that the holiday season has passed and the new year is here, many companies and worksites have shifted their attention to the annual tradition of OSHA recordkeeping. With the deadline … Annual self-evaluations: Value in collaboration
FALLS CHURCH, VA. — The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) announced today that the 2023 Safety+ Symposium will co-locate with EHS Today’s Safety Leadership Conference. The co-location is set to take place September 17 – 20, 2023 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. “EHS Today is one of the premier resources … VPPPA and EHS Today Announce Co-Location of Safety+ Symposium and Safety Leadership Conference Events
Jeremy Presnal Shermco IndustriesSenior Vice President, EHS & Workforce DevelopmentIrving, Texas How did you get involved in safety? I really got interested in safety before starting college in the summer of 1997 while working as an intern at a large coal fired power plant that my father worked at as an FGD Production Team Member. … Jeremy Presnal – 1st Quarter 2023
Contributor: Doug Pontsler, Chairman and Managing Director, COVE Organizations committed to safety know that finding and addressing hazards before they cause harm is mission critical. They have the best intentions and may be prepared with safety protocols, checklists, best practices and training, but even then, something fails, errors are made, and steps are overlooked for … How Can Your Organization Overcome the Challenges with Hazard Identification?
It’s cold outside! So batten down the hatches, but beware of carbon monoxide. Contributor: Brenda Wiederkehr, Owner, Access Compliance, LLC It’s wintertime, and particularly in the north, we close the windows and doors, creating a microenvironment to warm up and stay comfortable. Some people heat with electricity, which runs the risk of further drying the … Carbon Monoxide Safety
When it comes to corporate safety culture, there is one—even if we don’t initially see it. Contributor: Chris Williams, CAE, Executive Director, VPPPA “Safety is our top priority at (insert company name here).” It’s a line we hear from hundreds of executives, safety managers and marketing teams around the world when asked about their corporate … Priority or Core Value – What’s the Difference?
Contributor: Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health This article was originally published in the Spring 2022 issue of VPPPA’s quarterly magazine, the Leader. Fifty-two years ago, a new paradigm emerged for America’s workplaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed, making way for the creation of the Occupational … Fifty Years of OSHA
Contributor: Soundtrace October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, and there’s no better time to evaluate how you’re protecting your team from noise-induced hearing loss. As safety professionals, it’s our responsibility to lead from the front. We should be asking ourselves every day, “What do I need to do to set my team and employer … National Protect Your Hearing Month
Contributor: Jean Ndana, Regional Environment Health Safety Manager, Michigan Seamless Tubes (MST) Key Takeaways 1 The first move toward transforming a safety culture or achieving desired safety outcomes is developing an inward-examining mindset that it is up to the task. You cannot be physically ready to lead change and make progress if you are not … Developing And Leveraging An “Up To the Task” Mindset
Contributor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Suicide is a leading cause of death among working-age adults in the United States. It deeply impacts workers, families, and communities. There were approximately 1.2 million suicide attempts in America in 2020. Tragically, more than 45,000 of these attempts were fatal.1 The construction industry has one of the … Workplace Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Contributor: MSA Safety All industrial protective hard hats are either Type 1 or Type 2 based on ANSI and CSA standards for impact resistance and direction. A hard hat can only have one designation for impact properties. There is no in-between according to these standards. What is the ANSI Standard? The American National Standard for … What is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Hard Hats?
Contributor: MSA Safety There’s been a lot of talk in the world of safety about the need for real-time data. Although most will agree that real-time data benefits safety programs by providing information that leads to better decision-making, some may wonder if real-time data is as crucial as they’ve heard. The short answer is yes, … Is Real-Time Data Important? 3 Reasons Why the Answer Is ‘Yes’
Contributor: Gas Clip Technologies Everyone has heard the line, “What they don’t know won’t hurt them.” It is a lie that people frequently use as an excuse to keep something secret. However, the truth of the matter is that what a person does not know is usually what hurts them in the end, particularly in … Three Dangerous Gases in Confined Spaces
Contributor: Scott Schneider, MS, FAIHA Ergonomics is not a four-letter word. Under the OSHA Act, every worker is guaranteed a workplace “free of recognized hazards.” Yet in 2020, a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that almost a quarter of a million workers in the United States lost work because of musculoskeletal disorders (Table MSD1) … Ergonomics: The New Frontier
Hendrickson is currently seeking a Environmental Health & Safety Representative II to join their team. This role would be responsible for project work and assisting in the implementation of Environmental, Health and Safety policies, as well as programs that support business practices within the Hendrickson Somerset, KY facility. Essential Functions: For more information, read the … Job Opening: Environmental Health & Safety Representative II
Contributor: Meg Klaers, Industrial Safety Program Manager, Walman Optical Safety Eyewear ON-THE-JOB: 2,000 EYE INJURIES PER DAY The number of job-related eye injuries that require medical attention in the U.S. each day. Eye injuries make up nearly 45% of all head injuries that lead to missed workdays. 40% of on-the-job eye injuries happen in the … A Safer Workplace with Safety Eyewear
Contributor: AuditSoft The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) has promoted safety and health at worksites for more than four decades. Approval into VPP is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have implemented effective safety and health practices that keep injury and illness rates below the national average. The VPP started … Safety and Health: The VPP Difference
Contributor: Roco Rescue If entering permit-required confined spaces is performed at your worksite, then this is a question you absolutely should be asking yourself. And if you are, that is a good thing; it implies knowledge of OSHA’s requirement that an organization must provide for the safety of their personnel working in confined spaces. Asking … How Do I Choose a Qualified Rescue Service?
Last week, VPPPA Chairperson Terry Schulte sat down with Blaine from The SafetyPro Podcast to talk about the early days of VPP, busting VPP myths, the advantages of being a part of the VPPPA community, and what safety and health professionals can expect this August at the 2022 Safety+ Symposium in Washington, D.C.