Washington — OSHA has published a step-by-step guide and fact sheet as part of its new Safety Champions Program.
The voluntary, self-guided program is intended to “meet businesses where they are” and support them in developing and implementing effective safety and health programs. The main goal is to prevent workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses by “aligning safety and health programs with OSHA’s recommended practices.”
The program, open to all private- and public-sector worksites covered by OSHA, includes seven core elements from those recommended practices:
- Management leadership
- Worker participation
- Hazard identification and assessment
- Hazard prevention and control
- Education and training
- Program evaluation and improvement
- Communication and coordination for host employers, contractors and staffing agencies
The fact sheet highlights the three steps that make up the Safety Champions Program:
Introductory: Start aligning your safety and health program to the seven core elements.
Intermediate: Focus on implementing your safety and health program.
Advanced: Assess and improve your safety and health program.
“Upon successful completion of the advanced step, participating employers will have a safety and health program that integrates all seven core elements and reflects a proactive approach to safety and health,” OSHA says.
Participants may request a Special Government Employee for assessments and to help track their progression within the program.
