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VPP Application Instructions for the
Site-Based Way to Participate

What follows are instructions for applying to the VPP site-based way to participate. We encourage you to involve employees and managers in completing your application. After OSHA reviews and accepts your written submission, we will schedule an onsite evaluation.

If you are in a state that operates its own OSHA-approved program, check with your state agency to learn specifics regarding its VPP application process.

There is some paperwork required in the application process, but we encourage you to use as much existing material as possible. Please provide a list/index of all materials you choose to attach to your application. Most worksites have found that, in the process of applying, they gain a greater understanding of worker protection and discover ways to improve their safety and health management system.

VPP reviewers don't look for a single correct way to meet VPP requirements. They want to see a system that works for you. Some successful safety and health management systems involve substantial written documentation, and others do not. Small businesses, in particular, often are able to implement excellent safety and health processes with relatively little documentation.

If you need more information, you can contact your nearest OSHA VPP Manager or Coordinator through OSHA's Regional and Area Offices. In addition to answering your questions, your Regional VPP Manager or Coordinator can refer you to VPP participants in your area. We encourage you to contact participants. They are happy to share their experience.

We also encourage you to review the Federal Register Notice, 74 FR 927, January 9, 2009, that sets forth the basic philosophy and requirements of VPP.

OMB Control Number: 1218-0239 Expires 08-31-2027

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Directorate of Cooperative and State Program U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., Suite N3700 NW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 and reference the OMB Control Number 1218-0239.

  1. General Information
    1. Applicant
      1. Site/Employer
        1. Name
        2. Address
        3. Mailing Address (if different)
      2. Site Manager
        1. Name
        2. Title
        3. Phone Number
        4. E-Mail Address
      3. VPP Contact for OSHA correspondence (if different from Site Manager) - Name
        1. Name
        2. Title
        3. Phone Number
        4. E-Mail Address
    2. Company/Corporation (if different from Applicant)
      1. Name
      2. Address
      3. VPP Contact (if applicable)
        1. Name
        2. Title
        3. Phone Number
        4. E-mail Address
    3. Union Information - Provide information for each union separately
      1. Full Name of Union and Local #
      2. Authorized Bargaining Unit Representative's Name
      3. Address
      4. Phone Number
      5. E-mail Address
    4. General Industry, Maritime and Federal Agency Applicants: Number of Employees and Applicable Contractor Employees

      NOTE: Federal Agency applicants whose primary site activity is construction should provide information requested of construction industry applicants.

      1. Total number of employees working at applicant's site (include regular and temporary employees)
      2. Number of temporary employees supervised by applicant
      3. Number of contractor/subcontractor employees who are regularly intermingled with the owner's employees and under direct supervision by management
      4. Number of applicable contractor employees (see Appendix A. Definitions)
    5. Construction Industry Applicants: Number of Employees and Contractor/Subcontractor Employees
      1. Number of employees working at applicant's site
      2. Number of temporary employees supervised by applicant
      3. Number of contractor/subcontractor employees
    6. Type of Work Performed, Products Produced, and Typical Hazards
      1. Provide a comprehensive description of the work performed at your site and the type of products produced.
      2. Provide a description of the types of hazards typically associated with your industry and your site.
    7. Applicant's Industrial Classification Codes
      1. Provide what you believe to be your site's 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and your 4-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. OSHA will verify the NAICS code for purposes of VPP.
      2. Contact your Regional VPP Manager or Coordinator if you are having difficulty identifying an appropriate code. You can also find NAICS and SIC information on the Website.
    8. Injury and Illness Performance

      See Appendix A Definitions for explanation of terms.

      1. Using information from your OSHA injury and illness logs (OSHA-300), complete and submit the appropriate rate table in Section IV below.
        1. Non-construction applicants should submit Table 1.
        2. If you employ applicable contractors, have Table 2 (one table for each applicable contractor) ready for review by the VPP Onsite Evaluation Team.
        3. Construction applicants should submit Table 3.
      2. Provide your site's 3-year Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) for recordable nonfatal injuries and illnesses.
      3. Provide your site's 3-year incidence rate for recordable nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving Days Away from Work, Restricted Activity, or Job Transfer (DART rate).
  2. Employee Support for VPP Participation
    1. Your application for VPP participation must reflect the support of your employees.
    2. Unionized Workforce

      If, at the time of application, any of your employees are organized into one or more collective bargaining units, the authorized representative for each unit must either:

      1. Sign the application or
      2. Submit a signed statement indicating that the collective bargaining agent supports or is not opposed to VPP participation.
      3. Without such concurrence from all authorized agents, OSHA will not accept the application.
    3. Non-union Sites

      At non-union sites, OSHA will verify employee support during the onsite evaluation when the OSHA VPP team interviews employees.

  3. Assurances

    VPP applications must include a signed statement affirming the following:

    1. Compliance

      Applicant will comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and will correct in a timely manner all hazards discovered through self-inspections, employee notification, accident investigations, OSHA onsite reviews or enforcement inspections, process hazard reviews, annual evaluations, or any other means. You will provide effective interim protection, as necessary to keep employees safe while corrections are being made. Federal applicants also agree to comply with Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1960-Basic Program Elements for Federal Employees.

    2. Correction of Deficiencies

      You will correct any site deficiencies related to compliance with OSHA requirements and identified during any OSHA onsite review. You understand that the correction period will be determined by the VPP Team Leader and will not exceed 90 days.

    3. VPP Elements
      1. Following approval, you will continue to meet and maintain the requirements of the VPP elements.
      2. If your primary activity is construction, you will continue to meet and maintain the construction requirements of the elements.
    4. VPP Orientation

      All employees, including newly hired employees, temporary employees, and contractor/subcontractor employees when they reach the site, will have the VPP explained to them, including employee rights under the program and under the OSH Act or 29 CFR 1960.

    5. Protection from Discrimination

      You will protect employees engaged in safety and health activities, including those employees specifically given safety and health duties as part of your safety and health management system, from discriminatory actions resulting from their activities/duties, just as Section 11(c) of the OSH Act and 29 CFR 1960.46(a) protect employees who exercise their rights.

    6. Employee Access to Information
      1. Employees will have access to the results of self-inspections, accident investigations, and other safety and health management system data upon request.
      2. At unionized sites, this requirement may be met through employee representative access to these results.
    7. Documentation

      To enable OSHA to determine initial and continued VPP approval, you will maintain and make available for OSHA review the following information:

      1. Your written safety and health management system.
      2. All documentation enumerated under Section VI.B.6.d of the January 9, 2009 VPP Federal Register Notice.
      3. Any agreements between management and the collective bargaining agent(s) concerning safety and health.
    8. Merit or 1-Year Conditional Goals

      You will make available to OSHA any data necessary to evaluate the achievement of individual Merit or 1-Year Conditional goals.

    9. Annual Submission

      Each year by February 15, you will submit the following information to your designated OSHA VPP contact person:

      1. General Industry, Maritime, and Federal Agency Participants. Data reflecting all regular site employees, including temporary and contractor employees who are regularly intermingled with owner's employees and under direct supervision by management. The data will consist of:
        1. For the previous calendar year, the site's TCIR rate for all employees.
        2. For the previous calendar year, the site's DART rate for all employees.
        3. The total number of cases for each of the above two rates.
        4. Hours worked and estimated average employment for the past full calendar year.
      2. General Industry, Maritime and Federal Agencies Participants' Applicable Contractor Injury and Illness Rates. General industry, maritime and federal agency participants will submit data on each applicable contractor. See Appendix A for definition. The data will consist of:
        1. For the previous calendar year, the site's TCIR rate for each applicable contractor.
        2. For the previous calendar year, the site's DART rate for each applicable contractor.
        3. The total number of cases for each of the above two rates.
        4. Hours worked and estimated average employment for the past full calendar year.
        5. The appropriate NAICS code for each applicable contractor's work at the site.
      3. Construction Industry Participants' Injury and Illness Rates. Data reflecting all regular site employees, including temporary employees, and all employees of all contractors/subcontractors. The data will consist of:
        1. The site's total recordable case incidence rate (TCIR) for injuries and illnesses for the previous calendar year.
        2. The site's incidence rate for cases involving days away from work, restricted work activity, and job transfer (DART rate) for the previous calendar year.
        3. The total number of cases for each of the above two rates.
        4. Hours worked and estimated average employment for the past full calendar year.
      4. Annual Self-Evaluation
        1. Submit a copy of the most recent annual safety and health self-evaluation. Include current goals.
        2. Include a description of any success stories, such as reductions in workers' compensation rates, increases in employee involvement, and improvements in employee morale.
    10. Organizational Changes

      Whenever significant organizational or ownership changes occur, you will provide OSHA within 60 days a new Statement of Commitment signed by both management and any authorized collective bargaining agents.

    11. Union Representation Changes

      Whenever a change occurs in the authorized collective bargaining representative, you will provide OSHA within 60 days a new signed statement indicating that the new representative supports VPP participation.

  4. VPP Safety and Health Management System

    Describe your written safety and health management system, including safety and health policies, procedures, systems, and programs. See Appendix A Definitions for an explanation of how the term safety and health management system is used in VPP.

    Program descriptions must contain pertinent information that clearly explains the management and administration of the program, such as responsibilities and types of documentation maintained. Include those systems applicable to operations considered highly hazardous (e.g., Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Process Safety Management) and those considered non-routine.

    Please provide a list/index for any supporting documentation you choose to attach to the written description of the program.

    1. Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
      1. Commitment

        Management must clearly demonstrate its commitment to meeting and maintaining the requirements of the VPP and taking ultimate responsibility for worker safety and health. Attach a copy of your top-level safety policy specific to your facility.

      2. Organization
        1. Briefly describe how your company's safety and health function fits into your overall management organization.
        2. Attach a copy of your organization chart.
      3. Authority and Responsibility

        Describe what authority and responsibility you give managers, supervisors, and regular employees regarding safety and health and hazard mitigation.

      4. Accountability
        1. Briefly describe your accountability system used to hold managers, line supervisors, and employees responsible for safety and health. Examples are job performance evaluations, disciplinary action, and contract language.
        2. Describe system documentation.
      5. Resources
        1. Identify the available safety and health resources. Describe the safety and health professional staff available, including appropriate use of certified safety professionals (CSP), certified industrial hygienists (CIH), other licensed health care professionals, and other experts as needed, based on the hazards at your site.
        2. Identify any external resources (including corporate office and private consultants) used to help with your safety and health management system.
      6. Goals and Planning
        1. Identify your annual plans that set specific safety and health goals and objectives.
        2. Describe how planning for safety and health fits into your overall management planning process.
      7. Self-Evaluation
        1. Provide a copy of the most recent annual self-evaluation of your site's safety and health management system. Include assessments of the effectiveness of the VPP elements listed in these application guidelines, documentation of action items completed, and recommendations for improvement.
        2. Describe how you prepare and use the self-evaluation.
      8. Employee Involvement
        1. List at least three meaningful ways employees are involved in your safety and health management system. These must be in addition to employees reporting hazards and attending training.
        2. Provide specific information about decision processes in which employees participate, such as hazard assessment, inspections, safety and health training, and/or evaluation of the safety and health management system.
      9. Employee Notification

        Describe how you notify employees about site participation in the VPP, their right to register a complaint with OSHA, and their right to obtain reports of inspections and accident investigations upon request. Methods may include, but are not limited to, new employee orientation; intranet or email if all employees have access; bulletin boards; toolbox talks; or group meetings.

      10. Contract Workers' Safety and Health
        1. Describe the process and the pre-selection criteria used for selecting contractors to perform jobs at your site.
        2. Describe your documented oversight and management system for ensuring that all contract workers who do work at your site enjoy the same safe and healthful working conditions and the same quality protection as your regular employees.
      11. Site Map.

        Attach a site map or general layout.

    2. Worksite Analysis
      1. Baseline Hazard Analysis
        1. Describe the methods you use for baseline hazard analysis to identify hazards associated with your specific work environment. For example, air contaminants, noise, or lead.
        2. Identify the safety and health professionals involved in the baseline assessment and subsequent needed surveys.
        3. Explain any sampling rationale and strategies for industrial hygiene surveys if required.
      2. Hazard Analysis of Routine Jobs, Tasks, and Processes
        1. Describe the system you use (when, how, who) for examination and analysis of safety and health hazards associated with routine tasks, jobs, processes, and/or phases.
          1. You should base priorities for hazard analysis on historical evidence, perceived risks, complexity, and the frequency of jobs/tasks completed at your worksite.
          2. In construction, the emphasis must be on the safety and health hazards of each craft and phase of work.
        2. Provide specific examples of some analyses you have performed and any (completed) forms used.
      3. Hazard Analysis of Significant Changes

        Explain how, prior to activity or use, you analyze significant changes to identify uncontrolled safety and health hazards and the actions needed to eliminate or control these hazards. Significant changes may include non-routine tasks and new processes, materials, equipment, and facilities.

      4. Self-Inspections
        1. Describe your worksite safety and health routine general inspection procedures.
        2. Indicate who performs inspections, their training, and how you track any hazards through to elimination or control.
        3. For routine health inspections, summarize the testing and analysis procedures used and qualifications of personnel who conduct them.
        4. Include some completed forms used for self-inspections.
      5. Employee Reports of Hazards
        1. Describe the different ways employees notify management of uncontrolled safety or health hazards. NOTE: An opportunity to use a written form to notify management about safety and health hazards must be part of your reporting system.
        2. Explain procedures for follow up, tracking corrections, and reporting back to employees.
      6. Accident and Incident Investigations
        1. Describe your written procedures for investigation of accidents, near misses, first-aid cases, and other incidents.
        2. What training do investigators receive?
        3. How do you determine which accidents or incidents warrant investigation?
        4. Describe how you use investigation results.
      7. Trend Analysis
        1. Describe the system you use for safety and health data analysis.
        2. Indicate how you collect and analyze data from all sources, including injuries, illnesses, near-misses, first-aid cases, work order forms, incident investigations, inspections, and self-audits.
        3. Describe how you use analysis results.
    3. Hazard Prevention and Control

      Applicants and participants must be in compliance with any hazard control program required by an OSHA standard, such as PPE, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout,
      Confined Space Entry, Process Safety Management (PSM), Bloodborne Pathogens, etc. VPP applicants and participants must periodically review these programs (most OSHA standards require an annual review) to ensure they are up-to-date.

      Applicants and participants who are covered by the PSM standard must additionally submit answers to all applicable questions found in the VPP PSM Application Supplement A. (Other Supplements will be used during annual self-evaluations and OSHA onsite approval/reapproval visits.)

      1. Hierarchy of Controls
        1. Engineering Controls
          1. Describe and provide specific examples of engineering controls you have implemented that either eliminated or limited hazards by reducing their severity, their likelihood of occurrence, or both. Engineering controls include, for example, reduction in pressure or amount of hazardous material, substitution of less hazardous material, reduction of noise produced, fail-safe design, leak before burst, fault tolerance/redundancy, and ergonomic design changes.
          2. Although not as reliable as true engineering controls, this category also includes protective safety devices such as guards, barriers, interlocks, grounding and bonding systems, and pressure relief valves to keep pressure within a safe limit.
        2. Administrative Controls

          Briefly describe the ways you limit daily exposure to hazards by adjusting work schedules or work tasks, for example, job rotation.

        3. Work Practice Controls
          1. Describe and provide specific examples of your work practice controls. These include, for example, workplace rules, safe and healthful work practices, specific programs to address OSHA standards, and procedures for specific operations that require permits, labeling, and documentation.
          2. Identify major technical programs and regulations that pertain to your site, such as lockout/tagout, process safety management, hazard communication, machine guarding, and fall protection.
        4. Personal Protective Equipment
          1. Describe and provide specific examples of required personal protective equipment your employees use.
          2. Identify what PPE the OSHA team members will need to bring to your worksite.
      2. Enforcement of Safety and Health Rules

        Describe the procedures you use for disciplinary action or reorientation of managers, supervisors, and other employees who break or disregard safety and health rules.

      3. Preventive/Predictive Maintenance
        1. Summarize your written system for monitoring and maintaining workplace equipment to predict and prevent equipment breakdowns that may cause hazards.
        2. Provide a brief summary of the type of equipment covered.
      4. Occupational Health Care Program
        1. Describe your onsite and offsite medical service and physician availability.
        2. Explain how you utilize the services of licensed occupational health care professionals.
        3. Indicate the coverage provided by employees trained in first aid, CPR, and other paramedical skills, their training, and available equipment.
      5. Emergency Preparedness

        Describe your emergency planning and preparedness system. Provide information on emergency drills and training, including evacuations.

    4. Safety and Health Training
      1. Describe the formal and informal safety and health training provided for managers, supervisors, and employees.
      2. Identify training protocols, schedules, and information provided to supervisors and employees on programs such as hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and handling of emergency situations.
      3. Describe how you verify the effectiveness of the training you provide.
    5. Injury and Illness Performance

      See Appendix B for instructions on calculating required rates and completing this section's tables, and Appendix C for an alternative rate calculation for qualifying small employers.

      1. Injury and Illness Rate Requirements
        1. To qualify for VPP Star, both your 3-year TCIR and your 3-year DART rate must be below at least 1 of the 3 most recent years of specific industry national averages for nonfatal injuries and illnesses at the most precise level published by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
        2. OSHA will compare all submitted rates against the most advantageous single year that would qualify the applicant out of the last 3 published years.
        3. If, after completing Table 1, you determine that either your 3-year TCIR, 3-year DART rate, or both are at or above your industry's average in all 3 comparison years, you still may qualify for VPP participation at the Merit level. If this is the case, specify your short- and long-term goals for reducing these rates to a level below the industry average, thereby achieving the Star rate requirements. Include specific methods you will use to address this problem. It must be feasible to reduce rates sufficiently within 2 years.
      2. Alternative Rate Calculation.

        Some applicants, usually smaller employers with limited numbers of employees/contractors/subcontractors and/or hours worked, may use an alternative method for calculating incidence rates. Review Appendix C - Alternative Rate Calculation for more information.

      3. TABLE 1: Site-Based Injury and Illness Rate Calculations for General Industry, Maritime, and Federal Agency Applicants
        1. Table 1 tracks the injury and illness rates of all employees over whom the applicant has responsibility and authority for safety and health. These rates must be calculated from data that reflects the experience of all regular site employees, including temporary employees and any contractor employees regularly intermingled with your employees and under the direct supervision of your managers. Do not include applicable contractors in these rates.
        2. OSHA considers the site's most recent 3-year recordable injury and illness experience and compares that experience with industry averages published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
        3. Calculate your Total Recordable Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) for each of the past 3 years and for the 3 years combined.
        4. Calculate your site's incidence rate for cases involving days away from work, restricted work activity, and job transfer (DART) for each of the past 3 years and for the 3 years combined.
        5. Submit TABLE 1 if applying as a General Industry, Maritime, and/or Federal Agency site-based, non-construction VPP applicant.
        6. Compare your rates with BLS national average rates to determine whether you meet Star or Merit rate requirements.

        These tables are best viewed on tablets, notebooks, or desktop computer screens.

      4. TABLE 2: Site-Based Injury and Illness Rate Calculations for Applicable Contractors at General Industry, Maritime, and Federal Agency Sites
        1. Non-construction site-based applicants/participants must maintain injury and illness rates for each applicable contractor. (See Appendix A Definitions)
        2. Fill out and maintain TABLE 2 for each applicable contractor. You need not submit these particular tables with your application. The tables must be available at the site for review by the OSHA VPP Onsite Evaluation Team.
        3. In addition, approved participants must submit applicable contractor injury and illness data each year as part of their annual submission to OSHA.

        These tables are best viewed on tablets, notebooks, or desktop computer screens.

      5. TABLE 3: Site-Based Construction Injury and Illness Rate Calculations
        1. Submit TABLE 3 if applying as a site-based construction VPP applicant.
        2. Table 3 tracks the injury and illness rates of all employees at the construction site. These rates must be calculated from data that includes the experience of all regular site employees, temporary employees, and employees of all contractors/subcontractors.
        3. In addition to construction industry sites, this requirement applies to any Federal Agency site at which construction is the primary activity.
        4. OSHA will consider the applicant's TCIR and DART rates dating from time of application back to site inception but in no instance greater than 3 years or less than 12 months. That is, the site for which VPP application is being made must have been in operation for at least 12 months.
        5. OSHA compares the site's experience with industry averages published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
        6. Compare your rates with BLS national average rates to determine whether you meet Star or Merit rate requirements. See Appendix B, sections 8 and 9.

        These tables are best viewed on tablets, notebooks, or desktop computer screens.

Appendix A

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply to use of these terms within OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

1-Year Conditional Goal. A target for correcting deficiencies in safety and health management system elements or sub-elements identified by OSHA during the onsite evaluation of a Star participant. Such deficiencies, which indicate that a site no longer fully meets Star requirements, must be corrected within 90 days, and the participant must then operate at the Star level for 1 year for the participant's conditional status to be lifted. Failure to meet this requirement will result in termination from VPP.

2-Year Rate Reduction Plan. A strategy employed whenever a Star participant's 3-year rates rise above the national average and call into question the participant's continuing VPP qualification. The plan is developed jointly by the participant and OSHA and must be approved by the Regional Administrator. It must identify and address any safety and health management system deficiencies related to the high rates, correction methods, and timeframes, and must include quarterly participant progress reports.

90-Day Items. Compliance-related issues that must be corrected within a maximum of 90 days, with effective protection provided to employees in the interim.

Annual Self-Evaluation. A participant's yearly self-assessment to gauge the effectiveness of all required VPP elements and any other elements of the participant's safety and health management system.

Annual Submission. A document written by a participant and submitted to OSHA by February 15th each year, consisting of the following information: Updated names and addresses; the participant's and applicable contractors' injury and illness case numbers and rates, average annual employment and hours worked for the previous calendar year; a copy of the most recent annual self-evaluation of the participant's safety and health management system; descriptions of significant changes or events; progress made on the previous year's recommendations; Merit or 1-Year Conditional goals (if applicable); any success stories; and any other information required by OSHA. In addition, participants covered by the Process Safety Management Standard (PSM) are required to respond to applicable questions from the annual VPP PSM questionnaire. Participants who have been approved within a Designated Geographic Area (DGA) must submit a list, including addresses, of all active worksites plus a second list of any work projects scheduled or projected to begin during the upcoming year.

Applicable Contractor. An employer who has contracted with a General Industry, Maritime, or Federal Agency (non-construction) site-based applicant/participant to provide specified services and whose employees:

  1. Worked at least 1,000 hours at the VPP site-based applicant/participant's worksite in any calendar quarter within the last 12 months.
  2. Are not directly supervised in day-to-day activities by applicant/participant's management.

The concept of applicable contractor does not include temporary employees or other contractor employees who are regularly intermingled with a site-based applicant/participant's employees and under direct supervision by management. Moreover, construction applicants/participants do not break out this category of employee. Therefore, applicable contractor reporting requirements do not apply to applicants/participants whose main activity is construction, regardless of the chosen way to participate.

Accepted Application. An application that has been reviewed by the Regional Office -- or the National Office for certain corporate and Demonstration Program applications -- and found to be complete. Also referred to as a completed application.

Backup Team Leader. A member of an onsite evaluation team who provides assistance to the team leader and can assume his/her duties when necessary.

Combined Workforce. An applicant/participant's regular workforce employees, including temporary employees, plus all contractor/subcontractor employees. Mobile workforce applicants/participants and all construction applicants/participants must use combined workforce data when calculating and reporting injury and illness rates.

Compliance Officer. A Federal compliance safety and health officer (CSHO).

Compressed Approved Process. A VPP onsite evaluation procedure that OSHA may choose to employ for site-based Star participants seeking reapproval and meeting specified criteria. A CAP evaluation examines all the VPP elements assessed during a standard onsite evaluation but places particular attention on changes since the last evaluation and the most recent annual self-evaluation.

Contract Employees. Those individuals who are employed by a company that provides services under contract to the VPP applicant/participant, usually at the VPP applicant/participant's worksite.

Corporate Participation. See Way to Participate, below. A category of participation available to large corporations that provides streamlined application and approval procedures. To qualify, the corporation must (1) commit to bringing into VPP multiple site-based facilities and/or worksites within Designated Geographic Areas (DGAs); (2) utilize a standardized safety and health management system organization-wide; and (3) employ pre-screening processes at all applicant facilities/DGAs before applying for VPP approval and ongoing oversight once approved.

Days Away, Restricted, and/or Transfer Case Incidence Rate (DART rate). The rate of all injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, and/or job transfer. This rate is calculated for an individual worksite, all worksites within an applicant/participant's Designated Geographic Area (DGA), or all worksites of an employer for a specified period of time (usually 1 or 3 years).

Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP). The OSHA Directorate responsible for coordinating and overseeing OSHA's VPP and other cooperative programs, located in OSHA's National Office.

DCSP Regional Coordinator. A DCSP VPP staff member who is assigned to coordinate VPP-related regional activities, including the review and processing of reports and resolution of policy issues.

Demonstration Program. The program within VPP that enables employers with VPP-quality safety and health protection to test alternatives to current VPP eligibility and performance requirements. If a Demonstration Program is judged successful, its alternative ways to achieve safety and health excellence may lead to changes in VPP criteria.

Federal Register. The official Federal government publication, issued by the Government Printing Office (GPO), in which OSHA announces the philosophy and criteria for VPP approval and participation in a public notice commonly referred to as the VPP Federal Register Notice or the Federal Register Notice.

General Contractor. A construction site owner or site manager who controls construction operations and has contractual responsibility for assuring safe and healthful working conditions at a worksite.

Injury/Illness Rates. Numerical rates that:

  1. Represent an applicant/participant's nonfatal recordable injuries and illnesses at an individual worksite or within a Designated Geographic Area.
  2. Are an important factor when OSHA assesses an applicant/participant's qualification for VPP.

Mentoring. The assistance that a VPP participant provides to another employer to prepare that employer for VPP application and/or to improve that employer's safety and health management system.

Merit Goal. A target for improving one or more deficient safety and health management system elements for a participant approved to the Merit program. A Merit goal must be met in order for a participant to achieve Star status.

Merit Program. The program within VPP designed for employers that have demonstrated the potential and commitment to achieve Star quality, but that need to further improve their safety and health management system and/or injury and illness performance. OSHA gives a Merit Program participant specified Merit goals that it must meet in order to achieve Star status and continue within VPP.

Mobile Workforce Participation. See Way to Participate, below. A category of participation available to employers whose work is characterized by short-term operations and employees who move physically from one work project to another; or resident contractor operations performed at two or more fixed worksites. Distinguishing features of mobile workforce participation include a Participation Plan unique to the applicant/participant and a Designated Geographic Area (DGA).

Onsite Assistance Visit. A visit to an applicant/participant by an OSHA VPP Manager, Compliance Assistance Specialist, or other non-enforcement personnel, to offer assistance including, for example, help with the VPP application, a records review, and/or general observations about the employer's safety and health management system.

Onsite Evaluation. A visit to an applicant/participant worksite or headquarters by an OSHA onsite evaluation team to determine whether the applicant/participant qualifies for initial approval, continued participation, or advancement within VPP.

Onsite Evaluation Report. A document written by the OSHA onsite evaluation team and consisting of the site report and site worksheet. This document contains the team's assessment of an applicant/participant's safety and health management system and its implementation, a review of injury and illness rates, and the team's recommendation regarding approval of the applicant or reapproval of the participant to VPP.

Onsite Evaluation Team. An interdisciplinary group of OSHA professionals and sometimes other government employees who conduct onsite evaluations. The team normally consists of a team leader, a backup team leader, safety and health specialists, and other specialists as appropriate.

Outreach. Assistance and information a VPP participant provides to prospective VPP applicants, other employers, employer and employee organizations, and the general public, for the purpose of promoting safety and health principles and practices and VPP. Outreach activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Conducting VPP workshops at conferences.
  2. Conducting safety and health training workshops.
  3. Holding community safety days.
  4. Serving as an advocate for VPP within the business community.
  5. Participation in OSHA Strategic Partnerships, OSHA Challenge, and Alliances.
  6. Making presentations on safety and health topics at conferences and other venues.

Participation Plan. A unique, written strategy submitted to OSHA by a mobile workforce applicant as part of its VPP application. A participation plan:

  1. Explains how the applicant's safety and health management system protects employees who move from one worksite/project to another.
  2. May include a discussion of safety and health management system elements that differ in substance or emphasis from the basic VPP system requirements.
  3. Must include a proposed Designated Geographic Area (DGA) for VPP participation.

A Sample Participation Plan is included in the Mobile Workforce Application Instructions on OSHA's VPP website.

Pre-screening. An internal process, applicable to the mobile workforce and corporate ways to participate, to ensure and verify that sites/DGAs:

  1. Are effectively implementing the applicant/participant's safety and health management system policies and procedures.
  2. Meet all applicable VPP requirements, including, following approval, the requirement to continuously improve. For the corporate way to participate, applicant sites are expected to meet VPP Star requirements.
  3. For the corporate way to participate, that sites/DGAs have completed the VPP application before submitting it to OSHA

    Often used in conjunction with the term "oversight," as in "pre-screening and oversight," to indicate the continuing need, following VPP approval, for corporate/DGA monitoring of participating sites to ensure they maintain and improve their safety and health management systems.

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). For the purpose of VPP, a PHA is an organized and systemic effort to identify and analyze the significance of potential hazards associated with the processing or handling of highly hazardous chemicals.

Process Safety Management (PSM). A reference to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.119 and 1926.64, which covers all employers who either use or produce highly hazardous chemicals exceeding specified limits.

PSM Level 1 Auditor.

  1. An OSHA employee with experience in the chemical processing or refining industries. A PSM Level 1 Auditor is responsible for evaluating employer PSM operations during OSHA VPP visits (or inspecting PSM operations during OSHA enforcement inspections).
  2. Specific requirements for a PSM Level 1 Auditor include:
    1. OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Course 3300, Safety and Health in the Chemical Processing Industries.
    2. OTI Course 3400, Hazard Analysis in the Chemical Processing Industries.
    3. Advanced training such as OTI Course 3410, Advanced Process Safety Management, or other equivalent specialized seminars in PSM.
    4. Prior experience with chemical industry safety. This should include experience obtained in any one of the following ways:
      • Through accident investigations in chemical, petrochemical, or refinery plants involving fires, explosions, and/or toxic chemical releases;
      • Through previous chemical inspections involving process safety management evaluations; or
      • Through previous chemical industry employment.
  3. Alternatively, Special Government Employees may serve as PSM Level 1 Auditors on VPP onsite evaluation teams upon demonstrating training and experience equivalent to the above requirements.

PSM Supplements.

  1. PSM Supplement A. Also known as the PSM Application Supplement or the static list. A series of questions designed to establish a basic understanding of a VPP applicant's PSM policies and procedures. Applicants covered by the PSM Standard must submit responses to all questions on the PSM Application Supplement when they submit their written VPP application.
  2. PSM Supplement B. Also known as the PSM Annual Questionnaire. A document compiled annually by OSHA that uses selected questions from OSHA's Dynamic Inspection Priority Lists, also known as the dynamic question lists. The selected questions change from year to year. The PSM Questionnaire must be completed and submitted each year by VPP participants covered under the PSM standard as part of their annual submission to OSHA.
  3. PSM Supplement C. Also known as the PSM Onsite Evaluation Questionnaire. Questions selected by the VPP Onsite Evaluation Team Leader and PSM Level 1 or equivalent team members from OSHA's dormant PSM Inspection Priority Lists, also known as the dynamic question lists. The questions are selected just prior to commencing a VPP onsite evaluation and presented to the VPP applicant/participant during the evaluation. Normally, each applicant/participant covered by the PSM standard will receive a different set of questions at the time of the preapproval onsite evaluation and then during each subsequent onsite reevaluation.

Recommendations. Suggested improvements noted by the onsite evaluation team that are not requirements for VPP participation but that would enhance the effectiveness of the applicant/participant's safety and health management system. (Compliance with OSHA standards is a requirement, not a recommendation.)

Resident Contractor. For the purpose of VPP, resident contractor refers to a company that:

  1. Provides ongoing, long term onsite services to a host employer.
  2. Normally will occupy a recognizable, delineated work area within the host employer's site.

Safety and Health Management System. For the purposes of VPP, a method of preventing employee fatalities, injuries and illnesses through the ongoing planning, implementation, integration, and control of four interdependent elements: Management Leadership and Employee Involvement; Worksite Analysis; Hazard Prevention and Control; and Safety and Health Training.

Site-Based Participation. See Way to Participate, below. A category of VPP participation characterized by fixed, ongoing or long-term work operations at a single facility. It is available to employers of private-sector fixed worksites in general industry and the maritime industry; Federal-sector fixed worksites; and certain long-term construction worksites. These employers must control site operations and have ultimate responsibility for assuring safe and healthful working conditions. Site-based participation also is available to resident contractors at site-based VPP participants; and to resident contractors who are part of a larger organization approved under the corporate way to participate and who operate at a non-participating fixed worksite.

Small Business. A company having no more than 250 employees at any one facility, and no more than 500 employees nationwide.

Special Government Employee (SGE). An employee volunteer from a VPP participant or corporation who is knowledgeable in safety and health management system assessment, formally trained by OSHA in the policies and procedures of the VPP, and determined by OSHA to be qualified to perform VPP onsite evaluations. An SGE may participate as a team member on VPP onsite evaluations. The OSHA directive governing the VPP Special Government Employee Program is CSP 03-01-001, Policies and Procedures Manual for Special Government Employee (SGE) activity conducted under the auspices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program, Jan. 4, 2002.

Star Program. The program within VPP designed for participants whose safety and health management systems operate in a highly effective, self-sufficient manner and meet all VPP requirements. Star is the highest level of VPP participation.

State Plan. A state-operated occupational safety and health program that has received approval and partial funding from Federal OSHA. The states that operate approved State Plans are commonly referred to as State Plan states.

Team Leader. The OSHA staff person who coordinates the OSHA onsite evaluation team and ensures the performance of all evaluation activities.

Temporary Employees. Employees hired on a non-permanent basis by the applicant/participant. Temporary employees are grouped with regular hires for purposes of calculating employer injury and illness rates.

Termination. OSHA's formal removal of a VPP participant from the program. Alternatively, the act of ending a Demonstration Program.

Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR). A number that represents the total nonfatal recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees. This rate is calculated for an individual worksite, all worksites within an applicant/participant's Designated Geographic Area (DGA), or all worksites of an employer for a specified period of time (usually 1 or 3 years).

VPP Activity Log. The monthly log of VPP activity that is submitted to DCSP by the Regional Offices.

VPP Annual Data Spreadsheet. The yearly report prepared by the Regional VPP Manager and submitted electronically to DCSP that provides information on the annual TCIR and DART rates of participants.

VPP Application Status Report. A monthly report prepared by the Regional VPP Manager and submitted to DCSP that provides information on VPP applications, including the number of applications pending in the Region and the number of applicants whose onsite evaluation has not yet begun.

VPP Approval Ceremony. An event planned by the approved participant and normally held at the participant's approved work location or headquarters, where a representative from OSHA recognizes the participant's achievement and, for initial program approvals, presents the VPP plaque and VPP flag.

VPP Automated Data System (VADS). A database that includes information on approved VPP participants (under Federal or State Plan jurisdiction) and VPP applicants (under Federal jurisdiction).

VPP Manager. The OSHA employee directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the VPP in a particular OSHA Region.

VPP Participant Representative. The applicant/participant employee designated as the primary contact with OSHA for matters concerning VPP.

Way to Participate. One of three primary ways an employer may seek VPP approval. These are: site-based, mobile workforce, and corporate. The principles and features of VPP-quality safety and health management systems are generally consistent for all three ways to participate. There are some differences, however, in the VPP requirements for system details and implementation and the manner in which OSHA evaluates applicants/participants.

Withdrawal. Decision by an applicant/participant to discontinue its VPP application process or its approved participation.

Worksite. For VPP purposes, a worksite is a location where work is performed by employees of an employer.

Appendix B

INJURY AND ILLNESS RATE CALCULATIONS AND TABLE INSTRUCTIONS

Follow these steps to complete the injury and illness rate calculation tables.

  1. Estimate total hours worked annually for each of the last 3 years. If you are a General Industry, Maritime, or non-construction Federal Agency site, include temporary and contract employees directly supervised by your supervisors. If you are a Construction Industry site or a Federal Agency site where construction is the primary activity, include all site employees including contractor/subcontractor employees. All sites must include all overtime and management staff's total hours. Enter in the appropriate places in Column A. Enter the 3-year total at the bottom of Column A.
  2. Enter the total number of recordable nonfatal injuries for each of the last 3 years in Column B. Enter the 3-year total.
  3. Enter the total number of recordable nonfatal illnesses for each of the last 3 years in Column C. Enter the 3-year total.
  4. For each of the past 3 years, combine the injuries and illnesses and enter in Column D. Combine the injury and illness 3-year totals and enter.
  5. Calculate your Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) for each of the past 3 years and for the 3 years combined. Enter in Column E.

    To calculate your TCIR, use the formula (N/EH) x 200,000 where

    N = Sum of the number of recordable non-fatal injuries plus illnesses in a given time frame (either 1 year for an annual rate or 3 years for 3-year combined rate).

    EH = Total number of hours worked by all employees in a given time frame (either 1 year for an annual rate or 3 years for a 3-year combined rate).

    200,000 = Equivalent of 100 full-time workers working 40-hours per week, 50 weeks per year.

    For example, to calculate your 3-year combined TCIR:

    • 3-Year TCIR = [(#inj + #ill) + (#inj + #ill) + (#inj + #ill)] ÷ [Hours + Hours + Hours] x 200,000

  6. Repeat steps 2 to 4, except substitute injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work, restricted work activity, and/or job transfer. Enter in Columns F, G, and H.
  7. Calculate your incidence rate for days away from work, restricted work activity, and/or job transfer (the DART rate) for each of the past 3 years and for the 3 years combined. Enter in Column I.

    To calculate your DART rate, use the same formula as in 5. above, except

    N = Sum of the number of all recordable injuries plus illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, and/or job transfer in a given time frame.

  8. Compare your 3-year rates with your industry's average rates for the 3 calendar years published most recently by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (The BLS publishes rates by NAICS code each year in its Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Bulletin and at its Website.) To qualify for VPP Star, both of your 3-year rates must be below the same 1 year of the 3 most recent published years of specific industry national averages for nonfatal injuries and illnesses, at the most precise level available.
  9. If, after completing Table 1 or Table 3, you determine that your 3-year TCIR, DART rate, or both are at or above your industry's average for the 3 years published most recently, you still may qualify for VPP participation at the Merit level. If this is the case, specify your short- and long-term goals for reducing your rates. Within 2 years, you must achieve Star rate requirements, that is, you must reduce both of your rates to below the industry average for the same 1 year of the 3 years published most recently. It must be feasible to reduce your rates sufficiently. Include specific strategies and actions you intend to take to reduce your rates.
  10. Applicable Contractors: If you are a General Industry, Maritime, or non-construction Federal Agency site, fill out and maintain Table 2 for each Applicable Contractor at your site. (See Appendix XX for definition.) You do not need to submit Table 2 with your application, but you must maintain these tables at your site so that the OSHA VPP team can review them during your onsite evaluation.

Appendix C

ALTERNATIVE RATE CALCULATIONS FOR QUALIFYING SMALL EMPLOYERS

Some applicants, usually small companies with limited numbers of employees and/or hours worked, may use an alternative method for calculating their 3-year incidence rates.

The alternative method allows the employer to use the best 3 out of the most recent 4 years' injury and illness experience.

To determine whether you qualify for the alternative rate calculation method, do the following:

  1. Using your company's actual employment statistics, determine hours worked during the most recent calendar year by your employees. Include temporary employees. If you are a construction industry site or a Federal Agency site where construction is the primary activity, include all contractors/subcontractors.
  2. Then calculate a hypothetical TCIR assuming two recordable cases during the year.
  3. Compare this hypothetical rate to the 3 most recently published years of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) incidence rates for nonfatal injuries and illnesses in your industry. Use the most precise available NAICS code level. If the hypothetical rate (based on two cases) is equal to or higher than the BLS national average for your industry in at least 1 of the 3 years, you qualify for the alternative calculation method. You may use the best 3 of the last 4 calendar years of employee injury/illness experience when calculating both your 3-year TCIR and your 3-year DART rate.