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From our HAZ-COM union representative Randy Richards:
 

OSHA 	This link contains most of the standards (rules) that companies are
to work by and will give information on topics such as risk assessment,
slings, ergonomics, MSDS, chemical safety, machine guarding, housekeeping, 

and much more.

OSHA VPP Page

Through VPP we are creating and getting out to the floor, JSAs (Job Safety
Analysis). this is a sheet with job instruction and PPE, MSDS and special
precautions for jobs that are beyond the normal scope. This is a question
that will be asked when there is a accident investigation, "if you looked at
the JSA before beginning the job." This can be a good tool for us. they are
available on line through the new Evendale EHS Webpage, listed under
programs and a hard copy should be with each supervisor.  

APT teams are being formed plant wide, these teams can be an opportunity for
our people to have more say in their own safety and the safety of those
working around them.

Communication boards have been installed in most of the areas and will be in
all areas when finished. There is a great deal of current information on
these boards.

And of course, we have applied for the star status and OSHA will in here the
first week of Nov. and will be interviewing about 40% of the people on the
shop floors.

Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)

VPP is a program designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health management in the workplace. With this program, management and unions collaboratively work to attain this certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Yes … we invite OSHA to visit, inspect and measure our workplace, and examine the health and safety programs in-place. One aspect of the program requires that a companies injury and illness record, be below the industry standard. The program has been around since 1982, with just over 800 companies attaining this certification. OSHA recognizes sites that attain, and continue their excellence, as models in their industry.

This initiative goes far beyond what most employers and employees expect when working with a regulatory group (OSHA). “Compliance” is the point where most employers stop in their quest to make the workplace safe and healthy. VPP encourages participation of employees in keeping the workplace safe, and attain what others refer to as a “safety culture.” This process requires both union and management to continuously improve safety and health issues in the workplace.

Benefits cited by other employee/employer:

Ø      Improved employee motivation to work safely, leading to better quality and production.

Ø      More involvement by employees

Ø      Recognition in the community

Ø      Improvement of programs that are already good, through the internal and external review that’s part of the VPP application process.

Ø      VPP participant sites generally experience from 60 to 80 percent fewer lost workday injuries than would be expected of an “average” site, of the same size, in their industries.

An application must be submitted to OSHA prior to auditors from OSHA reviewing the workplace. Auditors visiting the site are solicited from regions of the country that have no bias or connection with the site. The process of review could take one or two weeks for a plant our size.

There are three levels that can be attained. Star, Merit and Demonstration are three levels that can be attained. Evendale will be applying for the Star Program. The Star Program is the most highly selective program, and are for sites that have safety and health programs that are comprehensive and successful in reducing workplace hazards.

Employees will be interviewed as part of the certification process (approximately 40%).

Answers to general questions about safety and health are a normal part of the review process. A company representative may accompany the auditor, but they will excuse themselves prior to any questions being asked. The interviewers questions and your response to them are confidential. 

Star is the highest level a site can attain. As part of the certification process, the employer is inspected every three years under the STAR program. Once certified, the site does drop from OSHA’s programmed inspections. This does not banish or negate an employees right to call OSHA with a complaint. They (OSHA) will still respond to an individual complaint filed with their offices.

One of the biggest reasons for working men and women to participate in the VPP process … is a safer workplace.

IAM / VPP Safety Coordinators:

Greg Hester
513 243-8230      

John Hill
VPP Coordinator for PDD North Areas Office
513 243-9228
Cell Phone 513 470-4463