Few business owners have happy thoughts when they think of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). The first thought is usually of red tape and obsolete regulations instead of the possible benefits from taking advantage of the services offered by OSHA to reduce workplace illness, injury, and fatality.
Benefits
- It helps to ensure minimal day-to-day work-flow disruption.
- It helps to boost employee morale.
- It helps to manage liability insurance costs, including that of Workers Compensation claims.
OSHA helps in these areas through an array of education, outreach, and compliance assistance programs.
OSHA offers a variety of training materials and guidelines that can help workers and employers understand and comply with safety standards. These materials are available online, on CD-ROM, and in print.
For more information about OSHA and how it relates to insurance matters, see Understanding Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Insurance.
There is also a 24-hour toll-free number that employers can call for assistance on workplace safety issues. For small business owners that need onsite help to identify and correct possible workplace hazards and establish health or safety programs, OSHA offers free workplace consultations among its many other services.
Through cooperative programs, like the Alliance Program, OSHA works directly with educational institutions, businesses, trade organizations, and labor organizations. Certain industries, such as food processing, shipbuilding, and construction, are specifically targeted through OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program.
Clinics and individual providers can also review industry-specific coverage options such as Physical/Occupational Therapists/Staffing Lines Insurance to better align risk management with safety programs.
The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) are considered the superstars of the OSHA cooperative efforts. One of these programs is called the Star Program, designed for businesses that have exemplary workplace injury and illness rates below the national average for their industry through comprehensive safety programs.
Businesses in the Star Program undergo a review and onsite investigation of their health and safety programs, a review of past inspections, an onsite condition assessment, and interviews with management and employees. Incident rates are reviewed yearly and overall reevaluation takes place every three to five years to ensure that Star participants continue to meet program requirements.
The Merit Program is another voluntary protection program. It serves as a stepping stone to the Star Program for organizations that demonstrate strong safety programs but still have areas needing improvement.
Involuntary inspections are an important part of OSHA’s preventive measures. Many inspections result from a workplace injury or death report or from a complaint.
In one reporting year, thousands of involuntary inspections led to tens of thousands of violations and millions in penalties, including serious willful violations. The average fine levels and the most-often inspected industries, such as manufacturing and construction, illustrate the financial and operational risks of noncompliance.
Since its start, OSHA has been a central component of federal workplace-safety efforts. Through inspection, education, outreach, and enforcement, workplace illnesses and fatalities have declined significantly even as overall employment has grown.
Even though many small businesses, especially those not in frequently targeted industries, may not closely monitor OSHA activity, the agency can still be a valuable partner in occupational safety, health, and risk management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does OSHA offer to small businesses?
OSHA provides training materials, outreach, a toll-free assistance line, and free onsite consultations to help small businesses identify and correct workplace hazards.
What is the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star Program?
The Star Program recognizes employers with exemplary safety and health management systems and low injury and illness rates, and it includes periodic onsite reviews and re-evaluations.
What typically triggers an OSHA inspection?
Inspections are often triggered by workplace accidents, fatality reports, employee complaints, or referrals, as well as targeted enforcement initiatives in certain industries.
How can participating in OSHA programs affect insurance and liability costs?
Strong safety programs and participation in cooperative OSHA initiatives can reduce workplace incidents, which may help control workers' compensation and liability insurance costs over time.