1. VIRGINIA BEST Allen Hatch Virginia Department of labor & Industry
ext. 15
11/12/2018

2. OUTLINE for TODAY What is Virginia BEST?
Expected benefits of the BEST Program.
What is a SHMS (Safety & Health Management System)?
Basics elements of a SHMS (Safety & Health Management System)

3. OUTLINE for TODAY BEST…the basics. Goals of the program.
Current status of the BEST Program.
Who are the contacts for the BEST Program?

4. Building Excellence in Safety, Health & Training
What is Virginia BEST?
BEST
Building Excellence in Safety, Health & Training
A strategic partnership between VOSH & the Associated General Contractors of Virginia

5. Who is Virginia BEST? AGCVA VOSH Gordon Dixon, CEO Jay Withrow
Milford Stern
Allen Hatch,
BEST Coordinator

6. Expected BENEFITS
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7. Expected Benefits of BEST
Increased focus on employee safety and health at all levels of the participant's organization.
Increased employee involvement in safety and health issues.
Increased cost savings through lower injury rates and Workers' Compensation costs.

8. Benefits of BEST
Improved and/or revised safety and health policies and procedures.
Increased consultative efforts with VOSH

9. Safety & health management system
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10. So what is a Safety & Health Management System? (SHMS)
Is a coordinated and systematic approach to managing health and safety risks through mentoring, training and progress tracking.
No Link but companies that complete level III should be ready to submit their application for VPP

11. So what is a Safety & Health Management System? (SHMS)
There are many different SHMS’s out there:
VPP, ISO, IATA, OHSAS are just a few.
They generally share some common features to identify, assess and control risks.
Virginia BEST is one of those SHMS’s.
No Link but companies that complete Level III should be ready to submit their application for VPP

12. Basic Elements There are four major elements to the program:
Management Commitment & Employee Involvement
Worksite Analysis
Hazard Prevention & Control
Safety & Health Training

13. Program goals & basics
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14. Goals of the BEST Program
To reduce by three (3) percent annually the number of injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
To increase the number of construction contractors that implement effective safety & health management systems

15. Goals of the BEST Program
To recognize those contractors where managers & employees work together to develop safety & health management systems.
To promote open lines of communication between VOSH and the construction industry.

16. Goals of the BEST Program
To create ways to share expertise and other resources among participating companies.
To recognize best practices that exceed VOSH/OSHA laws, standards & regulations.

17. BEST…the Basics Virginia BEST is based on VPP Challenge Concepts.
This program is only for construction sites.
The following are the three levels that will guide participants:

18. BEST…the Basics
level I – Assess, Learn, and Develop This is considered the “application” level of the program. At this level, the employer has developed & implemented an effective safety & health management system that meets current VOSH regulatory requirements

19. BEST…the Basics
level II – Implement, Track, and Control The employer has established an effective safety & health management system that exceeds current VOSH regulatory requirements.

20. BEST…the Basics level III – Reassess, Monitor, and Improve
The employer has an exceptional safety & health management system that serves as a model for other construction employers in the Commonwealth.
NOTE: an employer is not a “BEST” company until successful completion of level III

21. Current Status
Currently this is a pilot program with only one company actively working on the process.
AGCVA will handle the initial review of applications & approval of Level I participants.

22. Program Information The AGCVA is the initial contact for applicants
Please encourage construction companies to work with VOSH Consultation.
Program inquiries should be forwarded to the AGCVA or the BEST Coordinator.

23. Program Information
We are extremely excited to be able to finally offer a safety & health management program for construction in Virginia and to work with the AGCVA. We are anticipating a slow gradual start to this program, as this is new territory for VOSH & the AGCVA.

24. Program Contacts
AGCVA Gordon Dixon, CEO Allen Hatch BEST Coordinator Ext. 15

25. More Information
Virginia Business Article volunteer-safety-program-begun-for-states- construction-industry BEST Website T_program.html

26. VIRGINIA BEST Allen Hatch Virginia Department of labor & Industry
ext. 15
11/12/2018