Now Accepting Public Comments. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is seeking public comment on an updated version of its voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (OSHA-2015-0018). Deacon of Conn Maciel Carey’s national OSHA Practice OSHA announced in a November 30, 2015 Press Release, that it is seeking public comment on its updated voluntary Safety and Health Program. Safety & Health Program Management Guidelines. Effective worker safety and health programs: For more information: - See OSHA's Voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Federal Register (1989, January 26), (54 FR 3904). Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Compliance Audits: Essential Checklists For OSHA: Safety and Health Management Program: Voluntary Guidelines. What Is It? On January 2. OSHA issued safety and health program management guidelines for use by employers to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. The language in these guidelines is general so that it may be broadly applied in general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, and longshoring activities regardless of the size, nature, or complexity of operations. The guidelines consist of program elements which represent a distillation of applied safety and health management practices that are used by employers who are successful in protecting the safety and health of their employees. These program elements are advocated by many safety and health professionals and consultants. They were strongly endorsed by individuals, corporations, professional associations, and labor representatives as a necessary, positive direction for an effective safety and health program. It Really Makes a Difference! OSHA has concluded that effective management of worker safety and health protection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work- related injuries and illnesses. Effective management addresses all work- related hazards, including those potential hazards which could result from a change in worksite conditions or practices. It addresses hazards whether or not they are regulated by government standards. OSHA has evaluated many worksites in its enforcement program. These evaluations have revealed a basic relationship between effective management of worker safety and health protection and a low incidence and severity of employee injuries. Such management also correlates with the elimination or adequate control of employee exposure to toxic substances and other unhealthful conditions. There are many positive side effects from a strong safety and health program, not the least of which is improved employee morale and productivity, as well as a significant reduction of worker compensation costs and other less obvious costs of work- related injuries and illnesses. OSHA urges all employers to meet the following guidelines in a manner which addresses the specific operations and conditions of their worksites. The Guidelines(a) General. It will seek to prevent injuries and illnesses whether or not compliance is at issue.(4) The extent to which the program is described in writing is less important than how effective it is in practice. As the size of a worksite or the complexity of a hazardous operation increases, however, the need for written guidance increases to ensure clear communication of policies and priorities and consistent and fair application of rules.(b) Major Elements. An effective occupational safety and health program will include the following four elements. To implement these elements, it will include the actions described in paragraph (c).(1) Management commitment and employee involvement are complementary. Management commitment provides the motivating force and the resources for organizing and controlling activities within an organization. In an effective program, management regards worker safety and health as a fundamental value of the organization and applies its commitment to safety and health protection with as much vigor as to other organizational purposes. Employee involvement provides the means through which workers develop and/or express their own commitment to safety and health protection, for themselves and for their fellow workers.(2) Worksite analysis involves a variety of worksite examinations, to identify not only existing hazards but also conditions and operations in which changes might occur to create hazards. Unawareness of a hazard which stems from failure to examine the worksite is a sure sign that safety and health policies and/or practices are ineffective. Effective management actively analyzes the work and worksite, to anticipate and prevent occurrences.(3) Hazard prevention and control are triggered by a determination that a hazard or potential hazard exists. Where feasible, hazards are prevented by effective design of the job site or job. Where it is not feasible to eliminate them, they are controlled to prevent unsafe and unhealthful exposure. Elimination or control is accomplished in a timely manner, once a hazard or potential hazard is recognized.(4) Safety and health training addresses the safety and health responsibilities of all personnel concerned with the site, whether salaried or hourly. It is often most effective when incorporated into other training about performance requirements and job practices. Its complexity depends on the size and complexity of the worksite, and the nature of the hazards and potential hazards at the site.(c) Recommended Actions.
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