Teamwork sustains OSHA VPP Star safety status at USACE Columbus Project Office

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District’s Columbus Project Office, in Columbus, Ohio, has been approved for continued part… COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District’s Columbus Project Office, in Columbus, Ohio, has been approved for continued participation in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs as a Star participant. The approval followed an OSHA on-site evaluation May 20, 2026. OSHA officials reviewed the office’s VPP application, annual self-evaluations, safety records, and employee interviews, alongside comprehensive facility and worksite walkthroughs. VPP is an OSHA initiative that recognizes employers and workers who have implemented effective safety and health management systems.

Star status is the program's highest recognition level, reserved for worksites that exceed basic OSHA standards and demonstrate exemplary safety performance. The Wright-Patterson Area Office holds two of only three VPP Star certifications across USACE. Across the broader Department of War, the office is among 161 certified sites. In addition, the Columbus Project Office has operated for 15 years without a single lost-time mishap. “Continued participation shows that our team members have a strong commitment to safety for each other and for the organization,” said John Hearn, quality assurance supervisor and VPP lead for Wright-Patterson Area Office. “We have been in this program since 2013, and here we are 13 years