|
Subject: VPP Safety Program and You
As most of us are aware the MMAC
Voluntary Protection Program was re-certified at the Merit level instead of the
Star level. While there were several
reasons for this reduction of level, one that stands out is Employee
Involvement. The VPP Auditors
stated that within MMAC Organizations employees are involved at every level;
however we still have improvements that can be made.
For instance:
¨
Management and the safety department need to have more employee involvement in
the everyday safety and health issues at the site.
This could be accomplished by increasing
the voluntary participation on the safety committees, having employees involved
in the accident investigations, etc.
¨
Avenues for employees to have input into safety and health decisions include
participation in audits, accident/incident investigations, self-inspections,
suggestion programs, planning, training, job hazard analyses and appropriate
safety and health committees and teams
¨
Employees and contractors must demonstrate an understanding of and be able to
describe the fundamental principles of VPP.
¨
VPP auditors also suggested MMAC strive to send their employees to other Star
sites and VPP conferences to help reinforce what it means to be Star.
In the coming weeks, involvement
opportunities will be coming up to be a part of the MMAC Voluntary Protection
Program. An example of such
opportunity will be the Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) program at the Academy. Where processes used here at the
Academy do not always reflect the OSHA Standards that our customers have to
adhere to in the field. Involvement
from all, Technicians as well as Instructors is critical if the LOTO Plan here
at MMAC is a success. Become part of
the solution and proactive in making the MMAC safer, reducing costs associated
with accidents, increasing worker morale and productivity. Each of us can make a difference and
the difference is knowing that everyone cares.
AMA – 900, Safety Representative
Steve Knecht
AMA – 400, Safety Representative
Kenn Harton
Link to the VPP Site Information:
|