Self-Guided Initiative Positioned to Help Companies in Journey Toward Safety Excellence
FALLS CHURCH, VA – OSHA has released additional information regarding its Safety Champions Program, part of the agency’s “Pathway to Safety & Health Excellence” announced last August at the Voluntary Protection Program Participants’ Association’s (VPPPA) 2025 Safety+ Symposium in St. Louis. The agency communicated guidance to its more than 1,100 Special Government Employees (SGEs) on how to assist participants in the new program if requested.
“VPPPA applauds OSHA’s guidance to SGEs like myself on how we can provide our experience and expertise to help others on their safety and health journeys,” stated VPPPA Chairperson Terry J. Schulte (Miter Brands; Sacramento, CA). “Today’s email helps SGEs understand how OSHA’s Safety Champions program will be structured, and the roles that SGEs can play in guiding a company or site towards Voluntary Protection Program Star or Mobile Workforce status.”
In addition to providing SGEs access to the Safety Champions program survey, OSHA also announced two virtual training sessions to educate SGEs on the program. These sessions are slated to take place Thursday, March 5; SGEs may sign up to participate using the link provided in OSHA’s email. The agency also announced that additional training sessions will be scheduled in the near future.
“OSHA’s introduction of Safety Champions guidance for SGEs is a welcome addition to existing resources designed to help companies achieve health and safety excellence,” said VPPPA Vice-Chair Bill Linneweh (Hendrickson; Chicago, IL). “VPPPA’s Journey Toward Safety Excellence, which was announced last August at VPPPA’s Safety+ Symposium, was designed as a ‘next step’ for companies participating in OSHA’s programs. VPPPA’s program serves as an immersive guide—including mentors from VPP companies, annual self-evaluation tools and mock audits to evaluate progress toward VPP-level performance—for companies seeking to raise their standard for workplace safety excellence.”
Visit OSHA’s Safety Champions program and VPPPA’s Journey Toward Safety Excellence for more information.