Kim Hoffa Selected for

VPP SGE Program

 

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Our very own Kim Hoffa, Assistant Director of Safety for HGC Group of Companies, has been selected for the VPP Special Government Employee (SGE) Program taking place in May. Participation in the SGE program is considered an investment in the future of the company’s safety performance and as a professional growth opportunity for their employees. Special Government Employees are qualified safety and health professionals who volunteer to assist OSHA.  They are sworn into government service by taking an oath just as a federal employee would do so and serve a three-year term.

In order to become a SGE, applicants must submit a comprehensive application and complete an OSHA on-site evaluation of their worksite(s). OSHA also assesses the applicant’s health and safety management system. The evaluation team consists of an OSHA team leader, specialists and SGEs with expertise in health and safety. Once trained and certified, SGEs serve under OSHA’s direction as on-site evaluation team members. Some specific responsibilities include reviewing other health and safety management systems and documents, conducting site walkthroughs, facilitating employee interviews, and helping to prepare VPP Onsite Evaluation reports. Not only does this innovative program benefit OSHA by supplementing its on-site evaluation teams, but it gives industry and government an opportunity to work together and share views and ideas.

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SGEs return to their facilities with a steady flow of new ideas, practical solutions, and best practices to take their site to the next level of safety excellence. This cooperation embodies the idea of continuous improvement, which allows SGEs to bring a unique perspective to the team effort and take back to their sites ideas and best practices to further improve worker protections.

For more info on Kim and how she began her career in the safety industry, click here ^[3].