The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at helping companies enhance workplace safety and health performance.
Named the “Journey Toward Safety Excellence,” the programme was announced at the 2025 Safety+ Symposium in St. Louis in Missouri and provides organisations with a structured improvement plan.
The initiative offers a combination of self-assessments, mentoring, and customised guidance to support companies in strengthening their safety management systems. The programme is set to officially launch on 1 September.
Terry J. Schulte, Chairperson of VPPPA, explained that the initiative is designed to help employers achieve the performance standards seen at top-tier OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) sites.
To support this, the association has developed a free gap analysis tool that enables organisations to identify strengths and weaknesses within their existing safety and health practices. Participating companies can sign a letter of commitment and work alongside experienced mentors to create tailored improvement plans.
The launch of “Journey Toward Safety Excellence” follows OSHA’s announcement of its new “Pathways to Safety and Health Success” programme, which expands the core elements of VPP from four to seven and aligns them with OSHA’s recommended best practices.
Schulte noted that the VPPPA initiative is intended to complement OSHA’s programme, offering additional resources and support for companies striving to achieve excellence in workplace safety.
Established in 1985, VPPPA represents over 1,400 companies and worksites across the United States. The association promotes workplace health and safety through collaboration, mentorship, and educational programmes.
Further details about the “Journey Toward Safety Excellence” initiative are available on the official VPPPA website.
