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OSHA recently approved Honeywell Sensing Solutions’ OH32 manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio as a new Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) participant.
Andrew Hill, Honeywell Sensing Solutions Columbus senior plant manager, shared OSHA’s approval letter on LinkedIn.
“You have joined an elite group of organizations that provide exemplary occupational safety and health protection and serve as a model for others,” said David Keeling, U.S. assistant secretary of labor, in the letter. “Your qualification for OSHA’s premiere recognition program is a testament to the efforts you and your employees had made to develop and implement VPP-quality safety and health management programs. OSHA has learned that this approach to employee protection can save lives, reduce injuries and illnesses, and promote cooperation and communication in the workplace. We encourage you to educate and mentor others in the benefits of effectively managing employee safety and health.”
“This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our team,” Hill said on LinkedIn. A special thank you to Kathleen Murdock and Andrew Piper for their leadership and dedication in making this happen, along with the entire OH32 Team!”
OSHA’s VPP recognizes employers and employees who have strong safety and health programs and low injury rates. Companies in the program work with OSHA to prevent injuries and illnesses through training, hazard prevention, and active involvement from both management and employees.
Applicants must complete an onsite review conducted by safety and health experts. Accepted participants are reviewed every three to five years and - as an added benefit - are not subject to OSHA programmed inspections while they keep their VPP status.
Honeywell’s OH32 received VPP Star Status, which recognizes employers and employees who demonstrate “exemplary” prevention and control of occupational safety and health hazards by continuously improving their safety and health management systems.
Star status is one step above Merit, which recognizes employers and employees who have developed and implemented good safety and health management systems, but who must take additional steps to reach Star quality.
The third tier of VPP is Demonstration, which recognizes employers and employees who operate effective safety and health management systems that differ from current VPP requirements. OSHA said this program enables it to test the efficacy of different approaches.
Honeywell’s OH32 team held a ceremony to raise the VPP Star flag at the facility.
“It was inspiring to witness firsthand how the team at Columbus consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of each other, and also the community in which they operate,” said Dan Lazorcak, Honeywell Industrial Automation VP of health, safety and environmental. “The pride and enthusiasm displayed by everyone during the ceremony made it clear that safety is not just a priority, but a core value at the Columbus facility. Celebrating this achievement with such a passionate group was a reminder of the impact that a strong safety culture can have on both the workplace and the broader community.”
Michael Schadek, City of Columbus director of international affairs and regional partnerships, said the designation “signifies an extraordinary commitment to workplace safety” by Honeywell’s team.
As of April 30, OSHA reported 1,828 active federal and state VPP participants. At its peak in 2010, the program included 2,436 participants.
According to OSHA, injury and illness rates typically reduce as soon as sites commit to the VPP approach and application process. The average VPP worksite's Days Away Restricted or Transferred (DART) case rate is 52% below the average for its industry based on data submitted annually by program participants.
Entire industries can benefit from VPP sites, which evolve into models of excellence that can influence practices industry-wide. Industries with the most federal VPP participants include:
VPP provides OSHA with ambassadors who enthusiastically spread the message of safety and health system management. These partners also provide the agency with valuable input and augment its limited resources.
Another benefit to OSHA is the Voluntary Protection Program Participants’ Association (VPPPA), a nonprofit safety and health advocacy group that formed as a result of the VPP.
The VPPPA works closely with OSHA and State Plan States to develop and implement cooperative programs. The VPPPA also provides expertise to these groups and federal Congress on rulemaking and policies.
The VPPPA said it is proud to welcome Honeywell’s OH32 site into the VPP family and offered congratulations to the entire Columbus team.
Honeywell’s OH32 facility manufactures precision measuring equipment and sensors. It joins 15 other new members approved for OSHA’s VPP between Feb. and April:
OSHA also recertified 42 VPP participants since the start of the year.
Donald Halsing is the Founding Editorial Director of Work Safety 24/7. He was formerly the Associate Editor of Robotics 24/7.
Don's experience spans the supply chain, logistics, and construction industries, having worked in both warehouse operations and land surveying. He is also a professional wedding photographer with his fiancée Ashley.
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