This week, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) sent a letter in support of H.R. 2500, the “Voluntary Protection Program Act,” introduced by Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind. The Act would codify the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), ensuring that the program would continue with adequate funding.

VPP was formally announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1982 and is intended to promote effective work site-based safety and health. AIHA believes that enacting the Voluntary Protection Program Act would provide direction for OSHA on how to best monitor and evaluate VPP, enhancing the program’s efficiency. AIHA also hopes that H.R. 2500 would expand the program to small businesses, which are historically underserved workplaces in terms of health and safety protection and health and safety compliance.

AIHA notes that the success of VPP has been recognized at the state level. Virginia recently became the first state to codify VPP, making the program permanent within its OSHA state plan. AIHA was a strong supporter of the bill and believes that additional states will consider similar legislation in the coming year.

For more information, view full letter of support.

About AIHA

Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 10,000 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia. More information is available at www.aiha.org.

About The Synergist®

The Synergist is the monthly magazine of AIHA. Its mission is to provide news and information about the occupational and environmental health and safety fields and the industrial hygiene profession. For more information, visit synergist.aiha.org.