The 2025 Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Wellsworth Hotel.

May 6-8, 2025 Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge, MA

Join our next Chapter Meeting!

We will have our next board meeting on January 15, 2025 in Portsmouth, RI at Raytheon. We will have best practice sharing, VPPPA updates, and learning sessions. See you then!

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About VPPPA

The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association, Inc. (VPPPA) for Region 1 New England comprises of a group of safety professionals dedicated to safe work environments.

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Become a Mentor

Would your worksite like to be recognized for its commitment to worker safety and share best practices? Become a mentor to help other companies improve their safety performance.

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2021 OSHA Region 1 SGE of the Year: Matthew Twerdy

Region l OSHA has announced the 2021 Special Government Employee (SGE) of the Year: Mr. Matthew Twerdy, Environmental, Health & Safety Director, supporting the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star worksite Collins Aerospace located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

Matthew became an OSHA SGE in 2012.  Matthew has over 30 years of experience in health and safety.  Matthew holds the following certifications: Certified Safety Professional and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager.  He received his Master of Science in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management in 2004, Master of Science in Facility Management in 2010 and MBA in 2016.

Matthew currently holds the position of Director at Large as the Mentoring Committee Chair for the Region 1 VPP Participant’s Association (VPPPA).  Matthew has supported Region 1 OSHA and the VPPPA as a SGE in mentoring several organizations in New England, including those pursuing Mobile Workforce (construction).  Matthew assisted OSHA with an onsite SHMS review of VPP applicant Chatham Village Foods in preparations for their April 2022 initial evaluation and subsequently assisted as an evaluation team member.  He has also assisted OSHA Region 1 with annual self-evaluation reviews. 

Congratulations.  Thank you for your support of the Voluntary Protection Program here in Region 1!