Attachment_10_-_Voluntary_Protection_Program_(VPP)_Information.pdf

Contract Number N00174-16-R-0004 Attachment 15

Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)

In August 2006, Indian Head Division (IHD) Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) was nominated to participate in the DoD Voluntary Protection Program Center of Excellence Implementation Initiative of the Defense Safety Oversight Council (DSOC). The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) was established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1982 to recognize and promote effective worksite-based safety and health management systems. IHD NSWC, through the utilization of VPP, desires to be a model of safety and health excellence. VPP's emphasis on trust and cooperation between OSHA, the employer, employees, employees' representatives, and contractors complements the Agency's enforcement activity but does not take its place. All parties, including Contractors, are to work together to identify and resolve any safety and health problems that may arise, yet obtain Contracting Officer approval of any changes that would impact the terms of the contract. IHD NSWC as the VPP participant develops and implements systems to effectively identify, evaluate, prevent, and control occupational hazards so that injuries and illnesses to employees and contractors are prevented. Contractor and Sub- Contractor personnel are subject to occupational safety and health oversight. This oversight will be accomplished by IHD NSWC personnel and Contracting Officers. Contractors, sub-contractors, and their employees, while in performance of a contractual action on-site within the geographical boundaries of Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, shall be subject to the requirements of the IHDIVNAVSURFWARCENINST 5100.22, “Safety Manual” regardless of the type or duration of the contract. Chapter 13 of the IHDIVNAVSURFWARCENINST 5100.22, “Safety Manual”, entitled “Contractor Safety” is provided as Attachment 17. Appendix 13-A, of the Chapter 13 entitled “Contractor Safety Requirements When Performing Work at the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, MD” shall be signed by the Contractor prior to commencement of services on-site at NSF Indian Head. The Contractor shall maintain one signed copy for future reference in educating its personnel and sub-contractors. A second signed copy shall be provided to the Contracting Officer to be maintained in the contract file. If an occupational safety or health related injury or illness occurs during the performance or as a result of this contractual action, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) as soon as practicable, who will notify the Safety Office and the Contracting Officer.

In support of VPP and in compliance with Chapter 13 of the Safety Manual, entitled “Contractor Safety,” all Contractors performing on-site at NSF Indian Head shall comply with the following:

Public Law 91-596 (and Amendments), also known as the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, establishes that all employers, including Contractors, are responsible, as far as possible, for providing every employee a safe and healthful working environment. All employers, including Contractors, shall conform to the standards as issued by OSHA. Contractors are responsible for complying with safety requirements specified in the contract as well as all Federal, State, and local safety and security regulations. Non-compliance may be cause for the removal of a Contractor or any Contractor employee from the activity and such non-compliance may form the basis for contractual action, up to and including termination for default.

Contractor personnel shall participate in basic safety awareness and hazard identification training offered by the Government activity at the work area they are supporting. Contractors performing on-site shall attend area weekly safety meetings and annual safety stand-downs, as determined by the COR.

The best Safety and Health Programs involve every level of the organization, instilling a safety culture that reduces accidents for workers and improves the bottom line for managers. When Safety and Health are part of the organization and a way of life, everyone wins. IHD NSWC is committed to safety excellence. The Contractor shall familiarize itself with the IHDIVNAVSURFWARCENINST 5100.22, “Safety Manual,” Appendix 13-C entitled “OSHA Voluntary Protection program (VPP) Fundamentals Training for Contractors”.

A Contractor providing support on-site at any IHD NSWC site may be required to have its on-site Contractor personnel participate in training covering rules, practices, procedures, equipment and systems, as needed, based on the type of support being provided. This training may include, but is not limited to: Operation Security training (OPSEC); Personally Identifiable Information training; DoD Information Assurance Awareness training; Information Technology Security; Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) training; and Personnel Security training.

This training will be provided at no cost by the IHD NSWC site and will take place on-site during normal contract working hours without any additional compensation for the Contractor. This training does not relieve the Contractor of its responsibility to train its employees in such areas as environment, health, safety, security, sexual harassment, ethics, etc. to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and DoD regulations.