OSHA recently announced updates to its Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual effective June 16, 2026.

Sites participating in OSHA’s VPP will be required to follow the seven core elements outlined in OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.

Changes to the program, including updates to language for Medical Access Orders, and the creation of both VPP Elite and VPP Emeritus levels, are outlined in OSHA Directive CSP 03-01-005. 

“VPPPA recognizes that, as part of our collective goal to raise the standard for workplace safety across the United States, the programs we utilize to achieve this must continually evolve,” said VPPPA Chairperson Terry J. Schulte in a statement. “OSHA’s announcement that its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) will now align with the agency’s 'Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs' represents another step forward for VPP and VPPPA members.”

Continued Schulte, “VPPPA, as we have done for more than 40 years, stands ready to provide its members and all American workplaces with the resources and expertise to implement the seven core elements outlined in OSHA’s Recommended Practices through our mentoring and Journey Toward Safety Excellence programs. Together, VPPPA, its members and OSHA will work together to help every workplace achieve the levels of safety and health excellence that VPP sites currently represent.”

For more information on VPPPA’s Journey Toward Safety Excellence and resources.