U.S. Department of Labor | November 16, 2015
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational
Safety and Health Administration is seeking public comment on an updated
version of its voluntary Safety and Health Program Management
Guidelines. First published in
1989, the guidelines are being updated to reflect modern technology and
practices.
These guidelines are
intended to help employers establish health and safety management plans at
their workplaces. Key principles include finding and fixing hazards before they
cause injury or illness, and making sure that workers have a voice in safety
and health.
The updated
guidelines should be particularly helpful to small- and medium-sized
businesses. They also address ways in
which multiple employers at the same worksite can coordinate efforts to make
sure all workers are protected.
“The goal of safety
and health management is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths,”
said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Employers who embrace these guidelines will experience lower injury
and illness rates, and their progress in improving the safety culture at their
worksites will contribute to higher productivity, reduced costs and greater
worker satisfaction.”
For more information and to review the draft guidelines and
provide comment, visit OSHA’s Safety and Health Program
Management webpage. Comments will be accepted until Feb.
15, 2016. Comments can also be posted directly to www.regulations.gov using Docket
#OSHA-2015-0018.
The guidelines are advisory only and do not create any new
legal obligations or alter existing obligations created by OSHA standards or
regulations.
Under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for
providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role
is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by
setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and
assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Brian Hawthorne, 202-693-4681, hawthorne.brian.a@dol.gov Mandy McClure, 202-693-4672, mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov
Release Number: 15-2220-NAT
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