2004 is an election year. What happens if a new administration comes in and swings the pendulum away from OSHA's current emphasis on VPP? In an interview December 10, ISHN asked OSHA chief John Henshaw what he would say to a safety and health manager who wants to wait and see before committing to VPP?

"VPP in its availability is politics proof," said Henshaw. "Star and Merit have been around for 20 years, in various administrations and various kinds of climates. Now true, it may not be emphasized as much by other assistant secretaries, but it will still be there, barring anybody killing the entire program. But the success of the VPP over the past 20 years is immense, and no one in their right mind is going to want to kill VPP."