In an effort to promote workplace safety, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched the Safety Champions Program, a new cooperative initiative designed to help employers develop and implement effective safety and health programs. 

The Safety Champions Program encourages businesses to take proactive steps with a philosophy of continuous improvement to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The program has three progressive steps—introductory, intermediate, and advanced—each aligned with OSHA’s recommended practices for safety and health programs. This tiered structure allows employers to build their safety and health programs over time and adopt best practices tailored to their needs and operations.

Participants can choose to work independently or collaborate with Special Government Employees—individuals with safety and health experience who work alongside OSHA to provide guidance and technical assistance.

The Safety Champions Program emphasizes seven elements that are essential for effective safety and health programs: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, prevention and control, education and training, program evaluation, and communication. By incorporating these elements, OSHA said employers can create safety and health programs that not only meet regulations but also enhance workplace safety and health.

Upon completion of all three levels of the Safety Champions Program, participants are expected to have implemented all seven elements and showed plans for continuous improvement of their safety and health programs, thus demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

The March/April issue of Cleaning & Maintenance Management is now available in a digital format.

The March/April issue of Cleaning & Maintenance Management focuses on sustainability, highlighting best practices for safely cleaning K-12 schools and recycling processes for transforming paper into surface wipers. It offers facts to overcome common myths about green cleaning products.

Beyond sustainability, the latest issue of CMM highlights the results of its annual In-House/Facility Management Benchmarking Survey, revealing budget constraints, the spread of infectious diseases, and staffing as common industry concerns. In response to these concerns, it offers solutions for hiring entry level cleaning staff and explains how certifications can help convention centers ensure public health. In time for spring, this edition offers best practices for protecting facilities from insects, rodents, and other pests that become more active in the warmer weather.

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find in this issue:

Building a Healthier Tomorrow
Why sustainability matters for K-12 schools

Myths & Facts About Green Cleaning Products
Training, product standardization, and consistent processes ensure green cleaning success

2026 CMM In-House/Facility Management Survey Report
In-house supervisors share the inner workings of their facilities in our annual benchmarking tool

Testing Industrial Design Principles in the Restroom
How to address dispenser requirements for multiple stakeholders

How Healthy Is Your Convention’s Venue?
LEED and GBAC are defining safer and more sustainable events

Overcoming Entry Level Staffing Challenges
Respect and flexibility position new hires for career growth

Turn Your Paper Trash Into a Sustainable Cleaning Tool
Follow the recycling path to produce a green wiper

Protect Your Facility From Springtime Invaders
Tips for relieving warm weather pet pressures

Check out the table of contents to see all this edition of CMM has to offer, including a Sustainability Showcase.