Region I OSHA Education Center and OSHA Host Voluntary Protection Programs Open House June 5

MANCHESTER, N.H., 05/23/08 - Region I (New England) OSHA Training Institute Education Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration hold an open house introducing OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) to promote effective worksite-based safety and health.

The event is planned for June 5 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have in place a comprehensive safety and health management system. Approval into VPP is OSHA’s official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.

Bob Sands (VPP Manager Region I Department of Labor/OSHA) and Dan Whipple (CAS/Green Mountain VPP Coordinator, Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration) introduce VPP. Mark Skiba (New England Regional Safety Administrator, Covanta Energy) discusses how VPP works and how an organization gets recognized. Debra Kilpatrick (Corporate Health and Safety Manager, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc.) wraps up with benefits of VPP.

Participants attend either the morning session (9 to 11:30 a.m.) or the afternoon session (1 to 3:30 p.m.) with a complimentary light luncheon and beverages served between the two. Reservations are required.

For reservations, contact Diane Malachowski, Manager OSHA Training Institute Education Center, at 800-449-OSHA (6742) or dmalachowski@keene.edu.