This bill, titled the Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program Act , mandates the Secretary of Labor to establish a program recognizing employers' voluntary commitment to comprehensive safety and health management systems. These systems must include systematic hazard assessment, robust prevention and control programs, active management and employee participation, and thorough employee safety and health training. The program's core purpose is to encourage and acknowledge excellence in both the technical and managerial aspects of protecting employees from occupational hazards. Participation in the program requires employers to submit an application and conduct annual self-evaluations, supplemented by onsite evaluations from the Secretary of Labor's representatives. While these onsite visits will not result in enforcement citations, any serious hazards identified must be corrected promptly. A significant benefit for approved worksites is an exemption from programmed inspections, and the Secretary is prohibited from requiring any payment for participation. The bill also outlines requirements for monitoring the program's performance, including developing documentation policies for serious incidents and establishing internal controls to ensure consistent compliance and qualified participation. Furthermore, the Secretary of Labor must develop a plan within two years to modernize the technology used to administer the program, enhancing the efficiency of the application process, self-evaluation submissions, and audit reporting. The Act mandates that at least 5 percent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's annual appropriation be used to fund this program, ensuring a smooth transition from existing voluntary protection programs.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of LaborWorker safety and health
Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program Act
USA119th CongressS-1417| Senate
| Updated: 4/10/2025
This bill, titled the Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program Act , mandates the Secretary of Labor to establish a program recognizing employers' voluntary commitment to comprehensive safety and health management systems. These systems must include systematic hazard assessment, robust prevention and control programs, active management and employee participation, and thorough employee safety and health training. The program's core purpose is to encourage and acknowledge excellence in both the technical and managerial aspects of protecting employees from occupational hazards. Participation in the program requires employers to submit an application and conduct annual self-evaluations, supplemented by onsite evaluations from the Secretary of Labor's representatives. While these onsite visits will not result in enforcement citations, any serious hazards identified must be corrected promptly. A significant benefit for approved worksites is an exemption from programmed inspections, and the Secretary is prohibited from requiring any payment for participation. The bill also outlines requirements for monitoring the program's performance, including developing documentation policies for serious incidents and establishing internal controls to ensure consistent compliance and qualified participation. Furthermore, the Secretary of Labor must develop a plan within two years to modernize the technology used to administer the program, enhancing the efficiency of the application process, self-evaluation submissions, and audit reporting. The Act mandates that at least 5 percent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's annual appropriation be used to fund this program, ensuring a smooth transition from existing voluntary protection programs.