DATE: September 20, 2023
VMA & VDOLI ANNOUNCE NEW SAFETY PROGRAM
RICHMOND, VA – The VMA and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry announced their intention to jointly develop the Manufacturing Excellence in Safety & Health Program (MESH). The program will be modeled after BEST and will recognize measurable achievements in Management Leadership, Employee Involvement, Employee and Contract Worker Safety and Health Training Certification, Worksite Analysis, and Hazard Prevention.
The goals of MESH are: 1) Increase certified safety training of individuals working on manufacturing sites and reduce workplace injuries; 2) Issue an annual MESH Award as well as expand manufacturing participation in VPP and SHARP programs; and 3) Establish a referral and social media communications channel to better communicate comprehensive VOSH & VMA safety services and voluntary compliance program/consultation/voluntary inspection services to the manufacturing sector.
The VMA will manage the MESH design focus group and VDOLI staff will serve as co-leads of the design focus group. The program is expected to be completed by Q3 2024 with awards issued at the 2024 Virginia Environmental Health & Safety Conference. For more information, contact Shelley Gosaie, VMA Communications and Marketing Manager, at sgosaie@vamanufacturers.com.