Cal/OSHA

California Voluntary Protection Program

Cal/VPP Star

DOSH promotes safety and health by recognizing employers who have voluntarily managed outstanding safety and health programs.

The California Voluntary Protection Program STAR (Cal/VPP STAR) is designed to recognize employers and their employees who have implemented safety and health programs that effectively prevent and control occupational hazards. These programs go beyond minimal Cal/OSHA standards and provide the best feasible protection at the site.

Management commitment and employee participation are key elements in achieving Cal/VPP STAR recognition. Cal/VPP STAR establishments are considered to be leaders in the field of workplace safety and health.

Successful applicants approved for participation in Cal/VPP STAR receive State and national recognition and are exempt from Cal/OSHA programmed inspections.

Although designed for fixed-site establishments, large construction projects that will be in operation for at least one year may be eligible for Cal/VPP STAR recognition.

Cal/VPP STAR Q&A
Purpose and description
Cal/VPP STAR contacts
Cal/VPP STAR Programs
Cal/VPP Star Program Eligibility Review Process
Employer application guidelines
Cal/VPP STAR workshop information
Cal/VPP STAR sites
Evaluation check list (pdf 80KB, Word 178KB)
Onsite Preparation

Cal/VPP Construction (for non-fixed sites)

List of Cal/VPP Construction participants
Cal/VPP Construction Contacts

The Cal/VPP Construction Program is designed specifically for employers with non-fixed worksites. Eligible employers with fixed worksites should be encouraged to apply for SHARP or Cal/VPP Star recognition. Companies who meet the requirements of this program receive statewide recognition and exemption by Cal/OSHA for all their California worksites in which they have overall worker safety and health responsibility. Cal/VPP Construction companies are considered workplace safety and health leaders within their industry. All California worksites under the control of a Cal/VPP Construction employer are recognized as worksites expected to have a significantly lower risk for serious accidents than other employer's worksites within the same industry. In turn, this allows Cal/OSHA to focus its programmed inspection efforts on other worksites.

Cal/VPP Construction applicants must be able to demonstrate active management commitment to and employee involvement in their safety and health management system. The employer must also demonstrate that they are maintaining their safety and health management systems at all worksites in California and that their systems are effective in reducing accidents at the sites.

The Cal/VPP Construction application and approval process is managed through the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service's On-site Assistance Program. When achieved, the Cal/VPP Construction program status will be granted to the employer and all its California employees, and will be applicable for a period of three years at all of the employer's California worksites where the Cal/VPP Construction employer has overall safety and health responsibility.

Link to Information Packet (PDF) - Acrobat Reader is required, click here to download.
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