OSHA Compliance 2016

OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

The draft document will hopefully provide employers and workers with a sound, flexible framework for addressing safety and health issues in the workplace. The current guidelines were 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 (VPP) and Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), and similar industry and international initiatives.

So, 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
• Increase worker involvement, so all workers have a voice in workplace safety and health
• Better communication and coordination on multi-employer work-sites

The proposed guidelines are not a new standard or regulation and do not create any new legal obligations or alter existing obligations created by OSHA standards or regulations. But, they may alter the  approach you will take to your safety and health program.

Also, small employers who believe OSHA doesn’t care about their compliance are now reminded that OSHA very much cares about the safety of all workers. So, go to https://www.osha.gov/shpmguidelines/SHPM_questions.html and read over the issues OSHA is specifically asking for help with and then submit your comments. Now remember, if you don’t comment, you can’t complain that no one ever asks you. (Hee Hee Hee)