Employer Recognition Programs

Recognition is an important part of continuous improvement. OR-OSHA is pleased to recognize those companies that have outstanding records in occupational safety and health. We have several programs that recognize different levels of achievement.

VPP SHARP Milestone Awards GOSH

VPP

The Voluntary Protection Program recognizes excellence in safety and health management and is managed by the OR-OSHA Consultation and Services Section. It requires a company to submit a written application and requires an on-site evaluation of the company's entire safety and health management system. For more information on VPP, go to the OR-OSHA VPP we-site at http://www.orosha.org/educate/vpp.htm.

SHARP

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program is a recognition program which promotes and recognizes effective safety and health management and continuous improvement. SHARP is managed by the Consultative Services Section and requires on-site evaluations of a company's comprehensive safety and health programs. For more information on SHARP, go to the OR-OSHA SHARP website at http://www.orosha.org/consult/sharp.htm.

Milestone Awards

On an on-going basis OR-OSHA is pleased to recognize outstanding efforts in the reduction of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in Oregon workplaces. Many companies like to use the presentation of these awards by an OR-OSHA representative as an opportunity to celebrate safety.

Person Hours Without a Lost-time Accident

This award recognizes companies who work for a certain number of hours without a lost time accident. This award can apply to specific worksites or to a company's statewide operations. (Lost Time Accident: includes work related accidents that cause days away from work, or days with work restriction or transfer.) Categories include:

• Category 1, Companies with up to 25 employees  = 100,000 hours
• Category 2, Companies with between 26 and 99 employees  = 500,000 hours
• Category 3, Companies with 100 or more employees  = 1,000,000 hours

GOSH

The Governor's Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Awards are given through a biennial conference co-sponsored by OR-OSHA and the American Society of Safety Engineers Columbia-Willamette Chapter. Individuals and organizations are nominated by their peers and are judged by a committee. There are several categories including small business, new business, and safety committees.

To apply for a GOSH award, complete a nomination form and send it to the Governor's Conference Award Committee. A request for nomination forms to should be e-mailed to oregon.conferences@state.or.us.