Management Systems Voluntary Protection Programs: A Comparative Analysis

摘要

Systems for developing and maintaining health and safety programs have evolved steadily over the years. At the beginning of the industrial revolution, health and safety was largely determined by voluntary efforts of individual companies encouraged by organized labor and viewed in the light of public opinion. However, technology did not always keep up with the hazards that new inventions brought to the workplace. Occupational injuries, illnesses and death was all too common. In the United States, federal and state government could see the toll that accidents were taking on society and began to enact statutes and regulations to control recognized hazards in the workplace. In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was passed and implemented. In the wake of this national workplace regulation, there was a small provision that would allow the Agency to recognize employers who developed and implemented excellent health and safety programs. This provision was known as the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and created a mechanism for conscientious employers to be recognized.