OSHA Publishes Review Draft of OSH Program Management Guidelines, First Update in 26 Years

OSHA has made public a review draft of its updated Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Originally published in 1989, the new guidelines build on the previous version, as well as lessons learned from successful approaches and best practices under two OSHA programs— Voluntary Protection Program and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program—as well as consensus standards such as ANSI/ASSE Z10 and OHSAS 18001.

"These guidelines will help small and medium-sized employers find and fix hazards before workers are injured, become ill or are killed. Engaging more employers in injury and illness prevention—which is at the heart of these guidelines—has the potential for shifting the curve on safety culture in America," says OSHA Administrator David Michaels.

Here's what's new in the guidelines:

• A proactive approach to finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury, illness or death.
• Improved safety and health in all types of workplaces.
• Help for small and medium-sized businesses to effectively protect their workers.
• Increased worker involvement, so all workers have a voice in workplace safety and health.
• Better communication and coordination on multiemployer work sites.

Stakeholders and experts can share comments about the guidelines, which are posted here, until Feb. 15, 2016.

The agency will also hold a public meeting on worker health and safety in a changing workforce, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, from 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm (EST) at the Bureau of Labor Statistics office. Space is very limited. You can register for this event here.