Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program

Click Here to Download Zia Star VPP Application

The Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is New Mexico OSHA’s top level recognition for General Industry work sites that display an outstanding dedication to worker safety and health. New Mexico’s Zia Star VPP follows the Federal VPP Policies and Procedures as applicable.

Zia Star sites work to protect their employees from injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by going beyond minimum OSHA standards and implementing comprehensive and effective workplace safety and health management systems.

Benefits of Zia Star Recognition

On average nationwide, VPP sites experience significantly fewer work related injuries than expected of non-VPP sites of the same size and industry. This can result in reduced worker compensation costs, improved employee motivation, and increased site productivity. Zia Star VPP sites are also recognized as leaders in the community for their ongoing commitment to worker safety and health.

Zia Star sites are entitled to display the Zia Star VPP flag, logo, and plaque at their site. The Zia Star VPP symbol demonstrates to current and prospective employees, and potential customers the site’s ongoing commitment to worker safety and health. Upon achieving Zia Star VPP status, and upon successful reevaluations in the program, NM OSHA will post the information about the site’s participation on the NM Environment Department website. Successful applicants approved for participation in the Zia Star VPP are exempt from NM OSHA Programmed inspections, though NM OSHA may still investigate complaints, referrals, and accidents including hospitalizations and fatalities.

Becoming a Zia Star VPP Member Site

Management commitment and employee participation are key elements in achieving Zia Star recognition.

The establishment must also be a fixed-site establishment. At a minimum, applicants must have a comprehensive and well-functioning safety and health management system. Also, an applicant’s three-year average total case incident rate (TCIR) and three-year combined overall injury and illness days away, restricted or transferred (DART) rate must be at or below the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) rate for that industry. Instructions for calculating these rates are included in the application.

If you think your establishment qualifies and you want to be part of this exciting program, you can start by downloading and completing the Zia Star VPP Application. Applicants are expected to describe their safety and health management system in detail. If your application is approved, you will receive a notice from the VPP Manager and NM OSHA will set up a thorough on-site evaluation with you.

Steps to achieving Zia Star Recognition

1. Pre-VPP Site Visit
2. Application: NM OSHA will typically respond to an application submission within 15 days
3. Onsite Evaluation: NM OSHA will coordinate the onsite evaluation visit within six months of application acceptance. An agenda and Medical Access Order will be sent to your organization 30 days prior to your scheduled evaluation date
4. Approval: Once your site has been approved for Zia Star VPP you will receive a letter of approval and NM OSHA will coordinate an awards ceremony
5. Annual evaluations are due yearly on February 15th
6. Re-approval evaluation (3 years from initial, 5 years thereafter, Every 3 years for PSM sites)

Not sure if your company qualifies? For questions or more information, please contact the Zia Star VPP Coordinator at (505) 476-8700 or via email at NMENV-NewMexicoVPP@state.nm.us

Below are the establishments in New Mexico that have achieved Zia Star VPP status

For questions or more information, please contact Garth Hayden at 505-222-9595 or via email at NMENV-NewMexicoVPP@state.nm.us

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