About Us
VPPPA Region IV is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is a branch of the National Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association. Our mission is to provide support in the form of
information, networking and related services to work sites in the Southeast who are committed to excellence in workplace health and safety.
Region IV is evenly split between State OSHA plans and Federal OSHA plans. The State Plan states are: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Federal Plan states are: Florida,
Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Region IV VPP sites are leaders in health and safety through the cooperative efforts of labor, management and OSHA. There are four hundred and thirty-six (244 Federal and 192 State) active VPP
certified sites in Region IV as of July 31, 2008.
Region IV VPPPA assists in the safety and health process by providing learning and networking opportunities to Region IV participants. Annual conventions provide an opportunity to improve skills
through a series of educational workshops that cover many issues relevant to safe worksites. These workshops are instructed by Region IV members and professionals in these fields.
What is VPP?
The Voluntary Protection Program is designed to encourage cooperative efforts between employees, management and OSHA for the purpose of improving workplace safety
and health. The VPP concept recognizes that workplace safety and health can be enforced in a compliance atmosphere and can be enhanced in a cooperative atmosphere. OSHA recognizes and partners with
work sites that demonstrate excellence in Safety and Health.
What are the benefits of joining the VPP?
Sites that have participated in the VPP state the following benefits of becoming certified:
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Improved employee motivation to workplace safety, leading to safer working conditions, improved quality and productivity
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Reduced worker’s compensation costs decreased absenteeism, improved employee participation in all aspects of the business
and improve perception of the business as a good place to work. -
Community recognition
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Improvement of existing safety and health programs through the internal and external reviews required under VPP.
Participant sites generally experience from 60 to 80 percent fewer lost workday injuries than an ‘average’ worksite of the same size in
the same industry
How Does VPP Work?
Your company will benefit from free networking and mentoring programs that will help you prepare for your on-site inspection. Your company will capitalize on
a network of experienced safety and health professionals and proven best practice procedures. If you have the commitment, Region IV will assist as much as possible.
Management and employees, including organized labor, agree to participate in the process. Utilizing resources available through VPP, employees and management work together to implement, maintain,
document and improve their safety process. Then OSHA VPP makes a voluntary site visit to confirm the worksite qualifies for VPP recognition. The site is then recognized as a Star participant or a
Merit participant. Follow-up visits from OSHA (usually at three to five year intervals) ensure continued high safety standards and safe practices.
The annual Region IV Conference features workshops intended to help companies in their quest for VPP recognition. The Application Workshop delivers detailed instructions on the application process.
The Strengthening Star Quality Workshop will guide VPP sites through a process to help them select projects and programs to enhance their Safety & Health Program. Since the VPP is designed to
foster continual Safety & Health improvement, the workshops at the annual conference highlight areas of emphasis for Safety & Health improvement.
Region IV VPPPA was founded on the idea of helping those in need. Since our organization was established, we have endeavored to provide help where the need is greatest.
Our team is made up entirely of volunteers. We advocate for those who need our help. Even a little help goes a long way.
That is why we are especially happy to find new volunteers who share our commitment to doing good in the world. Do you want to support us by helping with our work? Then do not hesitate to contact us. A helping hand is always greatly appreciated!
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