What is Virginia CHALLENGE?
Virginia Challenge is a step by step three-stage process that gives you a road map to making your company one of the safest and healthiest in the country. When you complete Virginia Challenge, you will have an exemplary safety and health management system (SHMS) that will also prepare you to apply for VPP STAR recognition. 2019 Virginia CHALLENGE Brochure
Challenge is an opportunity for sites to improve their SHMS through mentoring, training and progress tracking with the help of an electronic form. Challenge was launched in 2004 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Virginia Challenge Participants
There are four elements to an effective SHMS:
Management Leadership and Employee Involvement,
Worksite Analysis,
Hazard Prevention and Control, and
Safety and Health Training
Each of these elements is broken down into sub-elements.
What are the Stages of Virginia CHALLENGE?
There are three stages to Challenge. Each stage focuses on specific elements
Stage I: Assess, Learn, Develop.
During this stage, participants learn the elements necessary to develop and implement an effective safety and health management system. Sites will assess the performance of existing safety & health programs and policies, provide training to management and workers and develop strategies, programs and polices with the help of mentors.
Stage II: Implement, Track, and Control.
Sites will continue to develop, implement and improve policies and programs that were developed in Stage 1 and begin to incorporate policies for contractor/special trade contractor safety and health management system requirements.
Stage III: Reassess, Monitor and Improve.
The final stage of the Challenge! Participants will monitor, reassess and continuously improve their safety and health management system.
All three stages have been completed and you should now have an effective Safety and Health Management System and should be ready to apply for the VPP STAR recognition program.
How does Virginia CHALLENGE Work?
Companies start out at Stage I. Using the OSHA Challenge Tracking Participant Spreadsheet (OCTPS) form each required element is broken down into sub-elements that explains requirements for that element, who it is assigned to and date completed. This is used to track the companies progress. As each element is completed, you move onto the next until the stage is completed at which time you move to the next stage. Having multiple employees involved allows more than one element to be worked on at a time. Mentors, Coordinators, Administrators and VOSH personal will assist you in reaching your goals.
Challenge is a program that you do on your own timeline and learn at your own pace.
What are the Benefits of Virginia CHALLENGE?
There are many benefits to working the Challenge program. Employee involvement in safety and health at all levels in the organization will increase resulting in a decrease in injuries. This decrease lowers the worker compensation cost resulting in cost savings to the company. Additional benefits include:
Some other benefits include:
· Lower turn over rates
· Networking with the “Best of the Best” companies
· Increased employee morale
· Proven method that works
· Improved and or revise safety and health policies and procedures with the help of safety professionals
· It’s Free
Virginia CHALLENGE Documents
Virginia Challenge Participant OCTPS Form
Virginia CHALLENGE Application and Instructions
Virginia Challenge Annual Overview
For further information, please contact:
Crystal Main – Virginia CHALLENGE Coordinator
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
Southwest Virginia Regional Office
Brammer Village
3013 Peters Creek Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone: 540.562.3580, ext. 114
FAX: 540.562.3587
crystal.main@doli.dev.sitevision.com