VADOC Challenge
What is VADOC CHALLENGE?
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC ) have entered into a strategic partnership to create a first in the nation VADOC Challenge program to recognize safety and health excellence at correctional facilities around the Commonwealth.
A signing ceremony was held on August 16, 2018
Commissioner of Labor and Industry C. Ray Davenport and Harold W. Clarke, Director of Corrections
A news release was issued August 17th, 2018
VADOC Challenge is designed to encourage and recognize correctional facilities that voluntarily implement highly effective safety and health management systems to benefit Corrections’ workers and reduce or eliminate injuries, illnesses and fatalities at VADOC sites in Virginia. VADOC Challenge Program Participants
Three stages of participation in VADOC Challenge are provided:
Stage I – Assess, Learn and Develop
This is the VADOC Challenge stage in which participants are introduced to the basic VPP elements that are necessary to launch the development and implementation of an effective safety and health management system.
Stage II – Implement, Track, and Control
This is the VADOC Challenge stage in which the basic actions and outcomes of Stage I have been completed and the sites are beginning to implement more thorough safety and health management system processes.
Stage III – Reassess, Monitor, and Improve
This is the VADOC Challenge stage in which the participant site’s safety and health management system has been fully implemented and the site is continuing to assess its effectiveness and improving its performance where necessary.
Results
VADOC correctional facilities that participate in VADOC Challenge will substantially improve safety and health protections for its workers through cooperative efforts to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatal accidents. VADOC Challenge sites will implement safety and health management systems which have consistently demonstrated decreased bottom line costs associated with dramatically reduced injury and illness rates and improved productivity and employee morale and retention.
Benefits
Benefits are provided commensurate with the stage of participation in VADOC Challenge. Participants that achieve Stage III will be ready to apply to Virginia STAR, the highest level of recognition awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia for excellence in occupational safety and health.
VADOC currently has two medium security correctional facilities that have been recognized as Virginia STAR worksites: Lunenburg Correctional Center in Victoria, VA, originally certified on March 1, 2002; and Augusta Correctional Center in Craigsville, VA, originally certified on January 24, 2006; the only correctional facilities in the country to be so honored.
VADOC Challenge Resources
VOSH Directive 13-070
VOSH – VADOC Challenge: A Strategic Partnership Program of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program and the Virginia Department of Corrections
VOSH Directive 09-070
VOSH – VADOC Challenge Pilot Policies and Procedures Manual