Gilbane Federal was recently awarded recognition by the U.S. Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) as a participant in the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). As a VPP-certified contractor, Gilbane is recognized as an occupational health and safety industry leader for our proven dedication to protecting people, proactive approach to preventing workplace safety incidents, enhanced safety management system, and maintaining incident and injury-free job sites. Gilbane’s commitment to leading by example by going above and beyond to strengthen workplace safety helped us achieve the industry’s highest safety recognition.
Gilbane’s Guam Projects Led the Way
In March 2023, Gilbane received the OSHA VPP Star Award for Gilbane’s Guam projects, which include the construction of the P-640 Unaccompanied Enlisted Housing Project at U.S Guam Naval Base and the Guam Tank Conversion Project at Sasa Valley. OSHA’s VPP program recognizes the outstanding safety achievements of these construction projects that have successfully incorporated comprehensive safety and health management programs into the company’s safety management systems, maintaining a positive safety culture and partnering with all the stakeholders to raise the safety standards.
VPP Recognition Extended to all of OSHA Region IX
Gilbane was approved to expand our VPP Designated Geographic Area (DGA) from Guam to all of OSHA Region IX in March 2024. OSHA Region IX includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Guam, Nevada, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As a result, current and all future work at federal project sites in OSHA Region IX will receive OSHA VPP status. This includes Gilbane’s recently awarded project to design and construct a new 130,000-square-foot multi-bay aircraft hangar supporting the Air Force’s 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California.
A Significant Confirmation of Gilbane’s Safety Culture
This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Gilbane’s leadership and project teams in prioritizing safety as a core value in all aspects of our work. At the heart of these awards lies a profound commitment to continually enhancing safety management systems. From implementing rigorous safety protocols to fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, Gilbane’s safety and operations professionals exemplify excellence in safety practices. By consistently striving for improvement and innovation, they have set a gold standard for safety within the industry.
This recognition underscores our collective responsibility to ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of each day. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we also recognize the ripple effect it creates within the industry. By showcasing what is possible, we inspire others to raise the bar and strive for safety excellence in their endeavors. Moving forward, we will continue to build upon this momentum and drive towards even greater heights of safety performance.
About the OSHA VPP
The OSHA VPP recognizes employers and workers in the private industry and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. Under the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through a system focused on the four elements of VPP: hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training, and management commitment and worker involvement. To participate, employers must submit a detailed application to OSHA and undergo a rigorous onsite evaluation by a safety and health professionals team. Union support is required for applicants represented by a bargaining unit. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA-programmed inspections while maintaining their VPP status.
Participation in the OSHA VPP entails submitting self-safety audits/assessments to OSHA yearly, underscoring our unwavering commitment to continuously enhancing the safety management system. These audits serve as a cornerstone in our efforts to achieve our yearly goals, prioritizing protecting people and the environment at the highest level possible. Through diligent self-assessment and proactive measures, we uphold our dedication to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, fostering a culture of safety excellence in Gilbane and the construction industry.
One Reply to “Gilbane’s Safety Culture Earns OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Recognition”
Raghuvaran Chakkravarthy
Gilaben’s journey to achieving the OSHA VPP Award epitomizes the organization’s unwavering commitment to safety excellence. Through 18+ months of relentless effort and collaboration, Gilbane has elevated its safety management system to world-class standards, emphasizing the core value that every employee deserves to return home safely each day. This achievement is not merely a milestone but a reflection of Gilbane’s dedication to integrating safety into every aspect of its operations. By fostering a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and continuous improvement, Gilbane has not only attained the OSHA VPP Award but also embraced a journey towards sustaining and surpassing safety excellence, ensuring a safer, healthier, and more secure workplace for all its employees.
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