Voluntary Protection Program

Voluntary Protection Program

Protection against preventable illness and injury is not new to Y‑12. Excellent tools already function toward keeping us healthy and safe on the job.

Job Hazard Analysis promotes safety by involving all employees and subcontractors in work processes. Behavior-Based Safety focuses our attention on workplace behaviors. Human Performance Improvement focuses on conditions and our behaviors. Employee Teams keep us mindful of our own safety and that of co-workers.

Y‑12’s ongoing safety initiatives ensure it is one of the safest sites within the NNSA/DOE Complex. Since 1998, Y‑12 has been an Integrated Safety Management site, using this structure to perform work safely.

Despite our successes — or perhaps because of them — we are aware that we can do even more.

The DOE Voluntary Protection Program promotes safety and health through cooperative efforts among labor, management and government at DOE contractor sites. DOE-VPP provides several benefits, including improved labor/management relations, reduced workplace injuries and illnesses, increased employee involvement, improved morale and reduced absenteeism.

The program is equivalent to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s program that recognizes employers and workers who have implemented effective safety and health management systems.

Of the three DOE-VPP award programs — Star of Excellence, Merit, and Demonstration — Star of Excellence is the DOE-VPP core; it recognizes contractors with an outstanding record of protecting employee health and safety. Recognition is based on performance-based evaluation and data. Companies seeking Star status have five years within which to qualify for the award.

Y‑12 is a member of the Voluntary Protection Program Participants’ Association (VPPPA). The nonprofit association leads the way in safety, health, and environmental excellence through cooperative efforts among labor, management, and government.

Y‑12 is being officially mentored by B&W Pantex, and we are receiving local support from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) — both VPP Star sites.

Contacts

Bill Klemm, VPP Co-Champion, 865.241.1141
Mike Thompson, VPP Co-Champion, 865.241.3200
Bill Reis, VPP Sponsor, 865.241.8349