OSHA Launches Program to Prevent Workplace Hazards

The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has launched a national emphasis program aimed at preventing workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities, distribution centers, and high-risk retail establishments.

According to the DOL, warehousing and distribution centers specifically have experienced tremendous growth in the past 10 years, with more than 1.9 million people employed in the industry. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows injury and illness rates for these establishments are higher than in private industry overall and, in some sectors, more than twice the rate of private industry.

“Our enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety,” said Doug Parker, OSHA assistant secretary. “This emphasis program allows OSHA to direct resources to establishments where evidence shows employers must be more intentional in addressing the root causes of worker injuries and align their business practices with the goal to ensure worker health and safety.”

Under this three-year emphasis program, OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress, and fire protection. The program will also include inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates with a focus on storage and loading areas; however, OSHA may expand an inspection’s scope when evidence shows that violations might exist in other areas of the establishment.

In addition, OSHA will assess heat and ergonomic hazards under the emphasis program, and health inspections might be conducted if OSHA determines these hazards are present.

Inspected establishments will be chosen from two lists. One includes establishments with industry codes covered under this emphasis program. The second consists of a limited number of retail establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away, restricted duty or job transfer.

State plans are required to adopt this emphasis program or establish a different program at least as effective as the federal model.

Within the recent past, retail establishments such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree have been frequent violators of OSHA standards designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. Check out Dollar General Getting Hit by DOL Fines Again and Dollar Tree Faces Yet Another OSHA Safety Violation to learn more about the most recent allegations and fines assessed against the companies.