What is the Virginia Voluntary Protection Program? (see the Introduction to VPP video on YouTube)

The Virginia Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is designed to recognize and promote exceptional safety and health management programs. In VPP, the Department of Labor and Industry's Occupational Safety and Health Program (VOSH), management and labor establish a cooperative relationship at a general industry or public sector workplace that has implemented a strong safety and health program.

• Management agrees to operate an effective program that meets an established set of criteria.

• Employees agree to participate in the program and work with management to ensure a safe and healthful workplace.

• VOSH verifies that the program meets VPP criteria, publicly recognizes the site's exemplary program, and removes the site from the programmed compliance inspections.

• VOSH also reassesses periodically to confirm that the site continues to meet VPP criteria.

• The VPP concept recognizes that enforcement alone can never fully achieve the objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Good safety management programs that go beyond VOSH standards can protect workers more effectively than simple compliance.

• VPP participants are a select group of facilities that have designed and implemented outstanding safety and health programs.

• STAR participants meet all VPP requirements. MERIT participants have demonstrated the potential and willingness to achieve STAR program status, and are implementing planned steps to fully meet all STAR requirements.

Virginia STAR Worksite Companies

View and print more information about VPP:
Overview 163 KB

For the VPP application process, contact the VPP coordinator at (540)562-3580, ext.123 - You may need to download FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.