Updated inspection program targets most hazardous federal work sites

An inspection program focusing on federal agencies has been continued and updated. OSHA announced its new directive for the Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program, continuing the program at least through FY 2012.

The program applies only to federal agency service/operating locations and specifically targets establishments that have experienced high numbers of lost time injuries during FY 2011. All such establishments reporting at least 100 lost time cases will be inspected while half of those reporting 50 to 99 lost time cases and 10 percent of those with 20 to 49 lost time cases will undergo inspections.

The program began in 2008 in response to a Government Accountability Office audit report that recommended an inspection program for federal work sites. A presidential executive order requires OSHA to "conduct unannounced inspections of agency workplaces when the secretary determines necessary if an agency does not have occupational safety and health committees, or in response to reports of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions."

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Among the changes for FY 2012 are:

Reorganized the directive to more closely follow the inspection process established in the OSHA Field Operations Manual.
Added provisions for reviewing applicable federal agency alternate and supplementary standards as part of the preparatory process for an inspection.
Added a provision for regions to develop their own special emphasis programs for federal agencies having alternative and/or supplementary standards.
Added the provision for an OSHA area office to request that the federal establishment office processing a special personal security clearance maintain the "unannounced" status of the upcoming inspection, whenever possible.
Added a reference to the general duty requirements for federal agencies.
Clarified the process of creating a secondary inspection list.
Clarified the area director's decision-making process to conduct additional inspections at establishments with multiple service/operations and/or office-only operating locations.
Deleted the need to provide the random number originally assigned to a federal establishment when the region is requesting a secondary inspection list.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

January 26, 2012

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