WASHINGTON – Modern technology and workplace practices have moved the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to update its voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. The guidelines originally were published in 1989.

OSHA developed the guidelines to help employers establish health and safety programs at their companies. Finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury, and empowering workers to participate in safety and health issues are key principles of the guidance, OSHA noted.


“The goal of safety and health management is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths,” said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “Employers who embrace these guidelines will experience lower injury and illness rates, and their progress in improving the safety culture at their worksites will contribute to higher productivity, reduced costs and greater worker satisfaction.”

Draft guidelines are available for review and comment at OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Managementwebpage. Comments will be accepted until Feb. 15, 2016. Comments can also be posted directly to www.regulations.gov using Docket #OSHA-2015-0018.