Amid threats of a hurricane, safety professionals met last week in Orlando for the 22nd annual conference of the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA). Participants from diverse industries met to share best practices and improve safety and health.

Voluntary compliance, which the current administration has touted in many areas of regulatory purview, was the topic of a keynote message by OSHA director Edwin Foulke. “VPP not only saves lives, it may save jobs," said Foulke, referring to comments by Vermont's governor that volunteer compliance programs are helping to keep jobs in his state.

Foulke added that the benefits go beyond dollars and cents, and discussed expansion of the association, including October 1 implementation of a mobile workforce demonstration for construction.