VPPPA

10/16/2026

This week in Work That Fits, we’re moving from the cab to the office.

Desk work can look low-demand, but hours of sitting, repetitive hand use, sustained visual focus, and holding the same position can add up.

A few things to look at:
-Fit the workstation to the person. Bring the screen and work close enough that you don’t have to lean forward or reach all day.
-Support the feet. If you find yourself sitting on your feet or perching them on the chair casters, a rocking footrest can give you support while still allowing movement.
-Look at the tools. A vertical ergonomic mouse can help bring the wrist, forearm, and shoulder into a more neutral position.
-Change positions often. There isn’t one perfect posture to hold all day.
-Build in microbreaks. A recurring Outlook reminder every 20 minutes can be enough to cue a quick posture reset, shoulder drop, neck movement, or gaze change before you realize you’ve been frozen in one position for two hours.

Office ergonomics isn’t just about buying a better chair.

It’s about fitting the workstation to the person, reducing unnecessary demand, and building enough movement into the day that the body doesn’t have to absorb the same load for hours at a time.

Make the workstation fit you. Change your position often. Improve your capacity.

Catamount Consulting

10/13/2026

Join us for our webinar, "Building a Mentally Healthy Culture", on Tuesday October 27, 1:00-2:00 ET.

Cal Beyer, CWP, NAC, Senior Director of SAFE Project will be joining us for this important discussion of how a culture of caring and wellbeing can reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health, substance misuse, and su***de prevention.

Mental health is an invisible crisis in many workplaces. A rising number of workers and their families are experiencing rising levels of stress, anxiety, and worry.Learn how to build a mentally healthy culture. Discover the three V's of leadership:
-Vocal
-Visible
-Vulnerable

Identify what your company can do to help promote mental wellbeing and reduce human capital risks among your workforce. Register today: https://bit.ly/4ADplp0

10/09/2026

This week in Work That Fits, we’re focusing on driver and mobile ergonomics.

For drivers and equipment operators, the challenge is often the same: hours in one position.

Start with the setup:
-Bring the seat close enough to keep the elbows bent.
-Support the natural inward curve of the low back.
-Use a wedge seat cushion when helpful to tip the pelvis slightly forward.
-Consider a strapped lumbar support if the built-in support doesn’t fit well.
-A taped, rolled hand towel can work in a pinch.

Then watch the habits that creep in over time:
-Leaning on the same arm
-Sitting on breaks
-Sitting shifted to one side
-Reaching forward for controls

Regardless of what you're driving, small movements can help throughout the drive— glute squeezes, ankle pumps, cervical retractions, shoulder blades back and down, belly breathing, and gaze resets.

And when you get out, reverse your position. Stand tall, march, walk a few laps, and always take time to wake your body back up before lifting, unloading, or stepping into more physical work.

A simple rule for equipment operators: 3–3–3

Every 3 hours, get out for at least 3 minutes, and do 3 movements.

Make the cab fit you. Change and reverse your position often. Improve your capacity.

Catamount Consulting

10/09/2026

Today is the FINAL DAY to submit a proposal for VPPPA's 2027 Safety+, taking place in Indianapolis August 22-25.

Workshop themes include:
-Leadership: From the C-Suite to the work floor, what does it mean to be a safety leader?
-Journeys: Share lessons learned or momentous accomplishments in your personal or worksite's journey toward improved safety.
-Culture: What knowledge, skills and tools can improve safety culture for a multigenerational and multilingual workforce?
-Specializations: Share insights, challenges or trends facing construction, PSM, industrial hygiene, electrical and small business.

Submit your proposal today: https://safety.vpppa.org/call-for-workshops/

10/05/2026

Our workshop proposal deadline has been extended for VPPPA's 2027 Safety+, taking place in Indianapolis August 22-25. This is the final week to submit a proposal. Submissions are due October 9 to be considered.

Workshop themes include:
-Leadership: From the C-Suite to the work floor, what does it mean to be a safety leader?
-Journeys: Share lessons learned or momentous accomplishments in your personal or worksite's journey toward improved safety.
-Culture: What knowledge, skills and tools can improve safety culture for a multigenerational and multilingual workforce?
-Specializations: Share insights, challenges or trends facing construction, PSM, industrial hygiene, electrical and small business.

Submit your proposal today: https://lnkd.in/dbfcYq7C

10/02/2026

October is National Ergonomics Month, and we’re kicking off Work That Fits with industrial ergonomics.

When a task creates too much demand, the first question shouldn’t always be, “How can the worker do this better?”

Start with the work.

Can the task be raised?
Can the reach be shortened?
Can the load be supported?
Can the grip be improved?
Can the process be changed?

Industrial ergonomics is about reducing unnecessary demand by changing the task, tools, layout, or environment so the work better fits the person doing it.

Our goals should always focus on preserving capacity so people can keep doing demanding work safely, teaching them how to recover well, and create an environment that invites peak performance.

October is National Ergonomics Month. Instead of asking your employees to bend to meet the work, how can you lead a workplace that fits?

Catamount Consulting

10/01/2026

Our workshop proposal deadline has been extended for VPPPA's 2027 Safety+, taking place in Indianapolis August 22-25. Submissions are due October 9 to be considered.

Workshop themes include:
-Leadership: From the C-Suite to the work floor, what does it mean to be a safety leader?
-Journeys: Share lessons learned or momentous accomplishments in your personal or worksite's journey toward improved safety.
-Culture: What knowledge, skills and tools can improve safety culture for a multigenerational and multilingual workforce?
-Specializations: Share insights, challenges or trends facing construction, PSM, industrial hygiene, electrical and small business.

Submit your proposal today: https://safety.vpppa.org/call-for-workshops/

09/30/2026

We are now accepting VPPPA National Board of Director Applications.

The VPPPA National Board of Directors is seeking to fill the following vacant positions:
- Director from a Site without a Collective Bargaining Agent: November 2026 - August 2028
- Director-at-Large (Odd Year): November 2026 - August 2027
- Director-at-Large (Even Year): November 2026 - August 2028

VPPPA Board Members play a vital role in shaping both the present and future of the association as we work to raise the standard for a safe and healthy workplace. They represent member companies across industry and are each passionate about advancing health and safety excellence through collaboration, mentorship, and education.

For more information on eligibility and application submission, visit: https://vpppa.org/about/board-of-directors/2026-bod-applications/

09/28/2026

BLOG: VPPPA's 2026 Safety+ – Where the Best Come to Get Better

"Safety+ provides an exceptional opportunity for all of us to learn and engage with VPP professionals," said Terry Schulte, VPPPA Chairperson. "Workplaces that have achieved workplace safety and health excellence, leaders, and employees at every level are here to listen and share practical experience in supporting your organization."

Read the full article:

Contributor: Carli Frugé – Digital Content Coordinator, VPPPA VPPPA’s 2026 Safety+ Symposium took place Aug 30 – Sept 2 in Nashville, TN. Gathering nearly 2,000 attendees and 150 exhibitors, a vibrant melody of community could be heard in Music City. “Safety+ provides an exceptional opportu...

09/28/2026

October is National Ergonomics Month, and the next installment of Feel Good Fridays is all about Work That Fits.

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the workplace to the worker — shaping tools, tasks, environments, and expectations around the people doing the work.

Throughout October, Catamount Consulting and VPPPA will be exploring ergonomics across industrial work, driving and mobile work, office and administrative work, and the bigger picture of building capacity.

Because good ergonomics goes beyond posture. It helps reduce unnecessary demand, preserve capacity, support recovery, and keep people ready for the work ahead.

Stay tuned — Work That Fits starts in October.