From HillTop Times, Thursday, January 18, 2007:
Voluntary Protection Program makes Hill safer
by Mitch Shaw
Hilltop Times staffBecause the work and mission of Hill is so unique and important, safety of its employees is paramount in maintaining a fully functioning and productive base. This is one of the reasons Hill, along with eight other Air Force bases, four of which are in the Air Force Materiel Command, was chosen to participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program in May of last year. The VPP is a concept that promotes worksite safety and health through a cultural change within the work force. It’s based on cooperative relationships between management, labor and OSHA to develop and promote a comprehensive safety and occupational health management system. VPP compliments the Air Force Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Management System. “The VPP is basically a management system that helps identify hazards and train people correctly so you can drive down mishap rates and injuries,” said Lt. Col. Rick Palo, Ogden Air Logistics Center chief of safety. “It basically builds upon the safety program we already have. It focuses a lot on employee involvement and employees being active in their own safety. When you have employees looking out for each other and being proactive, the result is a safer and healthier workforce.” The Defense Safety Oversight Council selected VPP for use within the Department of Defense after data showed a reduction in mishap rates and worker compensation costs in civilian and federal organizations that comply with VPP. According to Colonel Palo, VPP makes sense monetarily as well. “The companies that have done this have saved millions of dollars in lost work pay and workman’s compensation costs,” Colonel Palo said. “They also see less equipment damage. In addition to the safety aspect, there are a lot of monetary reasons for the program as well.” Becoming VPP certified is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. “You always hear that safety is priority No. 1, well we are trying to go even beyond that,” Colonel Palo said. “We want it to become like breathing, were safety is integrated into everything we do.”
