VPPPA: Barab Addresses VPP Challenges at Opening Session

Aug. 27, 2009
At the Aug. 24 opening general session of the 25th Annual National Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association Inc. (VPPPA) Conference in San Antonio, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab talked about finding a path that will preserve the best of the VPP program while addressing the challenges OSHA faces based on budget constraints and a focus on enforcement.

In his speech before the more than 2,800 general session attendees, Barab enlisted the help of VPPPA’s members in identifying what is best about VPP and how to maintain and improve those features.

“We’ll help ensure the VPP retains the highest standard of unquestionable quality and merit and integrity,” said Barab. “Not only hammers are needed to do a good job that’s why cooperative programs including VPP and other tools deserve a place in the OSHA tool box.”

Houston Mayor Bill White joined Barab in addressing VPPPA attendees at the opening session. He spoke of the leadership necessary in reaction to natural disasters, drawing parallels between his efforts to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and VPP sites’ efforts to be ahead of the curve and proactively protect lives.

“Keeping Americans safe and healthy and making sure we have a workplace that honors and respects the rights of workers is something that is one of the most important jobs there is at any time and any place,” White said.

For more information about the VPPA conference, visit http://www.vpppa.org/Conference.

Related Articles

Barab, VPPPA Meet to Discuss Future of VPP

EHS leaders spoke out about VPP when responding to the 2009 National Safety Survey: National Safety Survey: Can We Still Afford to Be Safe?

EHS Today Executive Editor Sandy Smith considered the VPP challenges in an editorial: Sandy Says: Why VPP Deserves a Second Chance

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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