Article from the ABC Merit Builder Newsletter

LPR Awarded OSHA Self-Recognition Flag

LPR Construction has been recognized with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration(OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program.The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health management.In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace that has implemented a strong program.LPR Construction has demonstrated their commitment to safety and is the first subcontractor recipient of this status for mobile worksites in the country.

The VPP concept recognizes that compliance enforcement alone can never fully achieve the objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.Good safety management programs that go beyond OSHA's standards can protect workers more effectively than simple compliance.VPP participants are a select group of facilities that have designed and implemented outstanding health and safety programs.Three requirements define the necessary elements for VPP status.First, a strong safety and health program that exemplifies commitment to the prevention of occupational illness and injury beyond satisfying the requirements of OSHA standards is necessary.Second, a cooperative atmosphere is essential in making voluntary protection work.Construction companies are required to use a labor-management approach which includes joint labor-management safety and health committees.The third requirement is good performance.Although performance levels vary with the program, a company must demonstrate that its efforts are working to minimize injury and illness in the workplace.

The benefits for achieving VPP status are numerous.Participants in the program are not subject to routine OSHA inspections, because OSHA's VPP onsite reviews ensure that their safety and health programs provide superior protection.  Other factors such as decreased costs in workmen's compensations and fewer lost workday injuries also accompany VPP companies due to their strong commitment to safety.LPR Construction has adopted some of the industry's strictest safety policies and has designed their own safety equipment like the twin tie off posts that aid in fall protection, for example.

Strong management commitment to safety has contributed to their success.The company's comprehensive safety efforts include orientations, training and incentive programs, and random drug and alcohol testing of employees.Having a company culture that focuses on safety as the primary goal, has provided LPR Construction with the recognition and benefits that come with an effective safety and health management program.