About VPP
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) VPP is a dynamic, evolving program that fosters innovative approaches to continuous improvement in safety and health performance at the Laboratory. PNNL's VPP program is based on the Department of Energy VPP program and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) VPP program, which resulted from close collaboration between regulators and best-in-class industry performers in the area of worker safety and health. The Voluntary Protection Program describes all of the necessary elements to achieve excellent worker safety and health through:
- management leadership
- employee involvement
- worksite analysis
- hazard prevention and control
- safety and health training.
What is VPP?
VPP is a "process" that defines a single system and structured approach to help achieve our goal of working more safely. The good news is that the vast majority of supporting activities are already in place. For example, the Stop Work Authority that all staff have is an important right and responsibility towards ensuring a safe work environment.
What is the benefit of VPP?
Involvement in the VPP will benefit you by: improving the accident prevention program, reducing risk of injury/illness, promoting teamwork skills, creating a sense of pride in the safety program ownership, further developing lines of communication between management and employees, and enhancing employee morale.
In 2001 Pacific Northwest National Laboratory achieved the highest level of VPP recognition by being awarded STAR status for implementation of an excellent safety and health program and became recertified as a DOE-VPP STAR site in 2004.
PNNL continues to be a leader in excellent worker safety and health programs through rigorous self assessment and continual improvement. At PNNL, safety is an ongoing partnership between management and staff committed to improving the Laboratory's culture one step at a time.
Watch this 5 minute video titled "VPP - A Partnership that Works" about the Voluntary Program Program and learn about who they are and what do they do. This video which was originally produced at Hammer's training facility, has been abbreviated to include the relevant information to PNNL staff.
