VPP Challenge Information

The Challenge Pilot Program has been designed by the Occupational Health & Safety Administration to meet the needs of employers wanting to improve their safety and health management systems and expedite their effort to attain VPP status by providing a “roadmap” to guide them through the process.  The “roadmap” refers to the defined set of Challenge stages that Challenge Participants progress through. Employers will receive recognition from OSHA for incremental progress while formalizing procedures and methods currently used by many corporations that have multiple VPP sites.

What is VPP?

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) promote effective worksite-based safety and health.  In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system.  Approval into VPP is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.

How can I become a Challenge Participant?

Companies that wish to participate in the Challenge Program must do so under the direction of an Administrator, such as the Construction Safety Council.  OSHA will accept Participants at various stages, depending on which safety and health management system elements they have already implemented, if any.  Participants must submit the Candidate Information Package to be considered for admittance into the program.  Once accepted, the company will begin a 3-stage process with defined requirements to successfully implement components of an effective safety and health management system.  Challenge Participants will work with their Administrators to implement and/or improve these systems.

All Participants will be required to show progression through the stages.  At the completion of the final stage, the Participant should be prepared to apply for VPP.

What is involved in the “stages”?

After demonstrating initial commitment, Challenge Participants move through three stages within the Program.  Each stage has knowledge and action requirements related to:

• Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
• Worksite Analysis
• Hazard prevention and control
• Safety and Health Training

The role of the administrator is to guide the Participant from stage to stage, by means of a structured process, using a combination of

• Training and evaluation
• Regular communications
• On-site visits