Osha and the vpp

1. OSHA and the VPP

2. Who is OSHA and What is their Job?
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• In 1970 Congress created laws regulating safety in the workplace. This is called the Occupational Safety
and Health Act. (OSH Act)
• OSHA gets to decide what safety looks like in the workplace
• OSHA’s job is to protect American workers from workplace hazards
• It is the employers responsibility to provide a safe & healthful work environment
• It is the employees responsibility to follow established work rules and training that the employer provides

3. Before OSHA, injuries and loss of life were often looked as just part of doing
business…..stuff happens, right?

4. There is a 75% decrease in workplace fatalities each year compared to the annual
fatality toll each year before OSHA came into being

5. How Does OSHA Obtain Compliance from
Employers in the Workplace
One way is for employers to become part of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program
which is a cooperative endeavor between the government and the employer

6. What is OSHA’s Voluntary Protection
Program? (VPP)
OSHA implemented in 1982
“Encourages employers and employees in their efforts to reduce the number of
occupational safety and health hazards at their places of
employment………..and”
“Stimulate employers and employees to institute new and perfect existing
programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions”

7. The VPP Process
Management Commitment &
Employee Involvement
Everybody’s engaged in the process….from top to bottom

8. VPP….process?
From the top of the organization

9. Down through the workforce……..the folks doing the work
Axcet Employee Engagement Committee
Andy Gampher
Andrew Spidle
Donna Patnode
Jeanette Coleman
Kat Merriman
Sarah Rhorer
Sharon Hindman
Tammy Crutchfield
Last year the Axcet VPP committee was changed to the Employee Engagement
committee. This committee sets the guidance and agenda for Employee
involvement in many ways INCLUDING the Safety Processes here at Axcet

10. VPP….process?
Management Commitment &
Employee Involvement
Everybody’s engaged in the process….from top to bottom
Worksite Analysis
Find the hazards…what are they?….where are they?

11. VPP….how do you get it?
Worksite Analysis
Physical Hazards

12. VPP….how do you get it?
Worksite Analysis
Behavioral Hazards

13. VPP….how do you get it?
Worksite Analysis
Monthly Facility Inspections

14. VPP….process?
Management Commitment &
Employee Involvement
Everybody’s engaged in the process….from top to bottom
Worksite Analysis
Find the hazards…what are they….where are they
Hazard Prevention
How we eliminate or reduce the hazard

15. Set Expectations with Visitors
• Vendors
• Internal Auditors
• Temporary associates
• Guests

16. Physical Hazards that are the
responsibility of the landlord are
reported immediately and
followed up on.
Internal issues are addressed
quickly

17. VPP….process?
Management Commitment &
Employee Involvement
Everybody’s engaged in the process….from top to bottom
Worksite Analysis
Find the hazards…what are they….where are they
Hazard Prevention
How we eliminate or reduce the hazard
Safety Training
Everyone must know how to react and behave

18. VPP….process?
Axcet HR
Company Safety
Training
2016

19. VPP….how do you get it?
Application
Verification
Award
Axcet was Accepted in September 2010
Celebrated in January 2011

21. Award Celebration January 2011

22. Can’t Celebrate without Food

23. Axcet Team Accepting the Star Flag

24. Because of our participation and outstanding injury record
(zero OSHA recordable Injuries……….great job)
We have been recognized by the VPPPA each year since
2011 with the “Star of Excellence Award”
at the Annual VPPPA Convention
Axcet belongs to the VPPPA
(Voluntary Protection Program Participant’s Association)

25. In 2015 our own Risk Director Steve Donovan was
elected to the VPPPA Board of Directors

26. How Does OSHA Obtain Compliance from
Employers in the Workplace
The OTHER way is through their (OSHA’s) right to inspect workplaces and cite
employers for non-compliance to the myriad of safety regulations that they
have put in place to protect the American worker.
Citations that are categorized as Serious can carry monetary penalties of up to
$12,500 per.
Citations that are categorized as Willful or Repeat can carry monetary penalties
of up to $125,000 per.

27. Do Axcet clients ever have these kind of
interfaces with OSHA?
The answer is unfortunately yes.
Since 2011 Axcet clients have interfaced with OSHA 18 times.
These can range from employee complaints to self reported injuries to worksite
inspections.
It always our desire for OSHA to go into a client facility and walk out satisfied
that Safety Regulations are adhered to 100% but that is a client management
decision to maintain OSHA compliance.
In many instances we have assisted our client in abatement of the problem and in
dealing with OSHA to negotiate settlement of citations. We have helped our
clients save over $39,000 in monetary penalties

29. Axcet VPP Participation
Axcet is proud of our Star Worksite designation and what it represents. It
represents YOU and the way you all handle your responsibilities with safety.
You do a great job ensuring that Axcet is a safe place to work. It is part of the
“Axcet Advantage” . Please continue with your endeavor to enhance and
maintain our outstanding safety culture