Proposed rule revises SHARP inspection exemptions

A newly proposed rule from OSHA would revise regulations concerning the circumstances in which the agency may conduct inspections of sites participating in an onsite consultation program.

The revisions concern employers in OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, which recognizes small businesses with "exemplary safety and health management systems." Revisions include:

• Clarification of OSHA's ability to define sites that would receive inspections regardless of SHARP exemption status
• Allow inspectors to conduct enforcement visits based off referrals at sites undergoing consultations or sites with SHARP status
• Limit the period of time in which an establishment participating in SHARP is removed from OSHA's programmed inspection schedule.

The proposed rule currently is under review by the Office of Management and Budget. A notice of proposed rulemaking is tentatively scheduled for September.