OSHA updates inspection program for federal sites

Washington – OSHA’s method for targeting federal workplaces for programmed inspections has been updated for the new fiscal year.

Released Jan. 4, the updated Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program directive (.pdf file) for FY 2012 includes the following changes:

  • The directive is reorganized to more closely resemble the inspection process established in the OSHA Field Operations Manual (.pdf file).
  • A provision allows OSHA regions to develop their own Special Emphasis Programs for federal agencies that have alternate or supplementary standards.
  • The directive includes a clarification of an area director’s decision-making process regarding conducting additional inspections at some establishments.

The program is used to determine which of the most hazardous federal workplaces will be inspected, similar to OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting Program (.pdf) for private industry. FEDTARG was launched in 2008 following a 2006 Government Accountability Office audit that recommended OSHA develop a targeted inspection program for federal worksites.

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