Proven Worksite Benefits By Actively Participating In OSHA’s VPP
By Killi Heflin VPPPA Chair Region VIII
In order to stay afloat in this day and age, companies are looking for creative ways to do more with less or learning what they can do without. Everyone is looking for a bargain, but companies participating in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) know workplace safety and health is not to be shortchanged. VPP companies have learned how to maintain world-class safety and health programs on shrinking budgets and are reaping the financial benefits.
At a time when so many companies are succumbing to the "get it done cheaper" pressures, Scott's Liquid Gold stands firm in its belief that American manufacturing can be a force to be reckoned with. Incorporated in 1954, Scott's Liquid Gold is an American manufacturing and distribution company whose clear and focused intent is to offer the best, most innovative and high quality products at the most reasonable prices possible.
The company’s dedication to quality, consumer demand, uniqueness, innovation and customer service has kept this company on course for over fifty years. This commitment is what motivated Scott’s Liquid Gold towards attaining VPP in 2003.
“I am often asked why a small company like Scott’s Liquid Gold chose to pursue recognition under the Voluntary Protection Program,” said President and CEO of Scott’s Liquid Gold Mark Goldstein.
“First—VPP empowered our employees to take a leadership role in the program that protects them from workplace hazards and allowed them to become the masters of their own destiny by expecting them to contribute to continuous improvement in safety and health here at Scott’s. This has had some residual effects in that process improvements in our manufacturing facility were identified, which in turn identified some cost savings opportunities.
The second part of the answer is that VPP has been proven to reduce injury and illness rates substantially in participating companies. That directly contributes to the company’s bottom line. We have seen a substantial reduction in worker’s compensation insurance premiums. We participate in Colorado’s Premium Cost Containment program, which saves five percent on worker’s comp insurance premiums. We do not have to bring in temporary labor to fill in for an injured employee and even our first aid cases have been reduced greatly.”
Over 2,300 VPP worksites, like Scott’s Liquid Gold, boast injury and illness rates that average more than 50 percent below the industry average. Employers experience reduced workers’ compensation costs, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity as a result of the reduction in injuries and illnesses. Further, employers and employees alike develop a cooperative relationship with OSHA to improve health and safety conditions and further develop already superior worker safety and health programs at the worksites.
“VPP participation is based on comprehensive management systems with active employee involvement to prevent and control potential safety hazards at a worksite, in both union and nonunion settings,” said Regulatory Safety Manager Kelli Heflin. “Companies that qualify for VPP view OSHA standards as establishing a minimum level of safety and health performance, and set their own more stringent requirements to achieve effective employee protection.”
Innovation is never simple. Earning and maintaining VPP status is not easy to achieve, but it is also not impossible. The premise of the program is simple, yet revolutionary; workers, management and government working together to take the worksite’s safety and health commitment beyond mere compliance. Beyond achieving the required rates, worksites must meet the four fundamental elements of VPP: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement; Worksite Analysis; Safety and Health Training; and Hazard Prevention and Control. To help in the process of attaining VPP, member companies founded the VPP Participants’ Association, Inc. (VPPPA).
VPPPA provides member worksites with networking opportunities, educational offerings, publications, up-to-the-minute legislative information, mentoring, professional development, recognition programs, scholarships and volunteer opportunities. Hosting an annual national conference, as well as ten volunteer-run regional conferences, VPPPA offers resources for networking and benchmarking with those identified as the best in occupational safety and health.
The VPPPA Mentoring Program has been identified by members as one of the most beneficial resources the association offers for worksites pursuing VPP. Worksites interested in applying for VPP can request a mentor through the association. Important factors, such as Union presence at the worksite, geographic location, industry or if OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard (PSM) is required at the sites are all considered while making the mentoring match.
“The mentored company gets a different set of eyes looking at their facility and making suggestions based on knowledge of OSHA regulations and their own experiences with VPP,” said Heflin. “Sometimes, I’m just someone that can quickly answer a question about VPP and sometimes I am a sounding board for issues regarding employee buy-in to the VPP, but I always try to make the program value-added for the company I am mentoring. I always learn something in the process that I can take back to my own facility.”
This year, Scott’s Liquid Gold, Denver, Colorado, was recognized as the Region VIII VPPPA Mentor of the Year for their efforts in mentoring and outreach for VPP. Formalized in 2007, each regional VPPPA board of directors selects a winner to be acknowledged nationally.
In addition to mentoring and networking, the VPPPA also sponsors several annual scholarships for students or working adults entering into the environmental, health and safety fields. One of the scholarships is for students or working adults entering into the trades. The VPPPA also sponsors various educational webinars at a low cost to its members.
Outside of her regular duties at Scott’s, Heflin also serves as the Region VIII VPPPA Chairperson and as the Secretary for the National VPPPA Board of Directors.
“Because of my association with the VPPPA and OSHA, I have been able to network and develop relationships with companies across the country. If I have a particular issue with something VPP related, I can pick up the phone and get an answer within a matter of minutes,” said Heflin.
“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary conference, it is easy to see how far the VPPPA has come,” said VPPPA Executive Director R. Davis Layne. “From its humble beginnings of just a handful of participating worksites, the VPPPA member base has grown to almost 2,000 worksites, covering a range of industries. Today, the association’s annual national conference hosts upwards of 2,800 attendees, providing a forum for networking and best practices sharing.”
“It is only through the dedication and efforts of VPP companies like Scott’s Liquid Gold and individuals like Kelli Heflin that more and more workers go home to their families as whole, healthy people.”
VPPPA, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to promoting advances in worker safety and health excellence through cooperation among communities, workers, industries and governments. The nearly 2,000 VPPPA member sites primarily consist of worksites that have been approved, or are seeking approval, into VPP as administered by OSHA, state-plan OSHA and the Department of Energy. For more information, please visit www.vpppa.org.