OSHA has initiated a process to update and replace its voluntary “Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines” first published in 1989. The new draft, currently in the public comment phase of development, builds on lessons learned from successful approaches and best practices under the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), and other OSHA safety programs.
The new “OSHA Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines” are expected to be published later this year and will provide employers, workers, and worker representatives with a sound, flexible framework for addressing safety and health issues in diverse workplaces. The updated guidelines will take a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health rather than the more common reactive approach, where problems are addressed only after a worker is injured or becomes sick, a new standard or regulation is published, or an outside inspection finds a problem that must be fixed.
OSHA will continue to emphasize the importance of worker education and training as a key to the prevention of workplace injuries and illness. Workers who are aware of potential workplace hazards and the measures in place to control them can work more safely and be more productive. Education and training means that employers, managers, supervisors, and workers:
- Have the knowledge and skills needed to work safely and avoid creating hazards that could place themselves or others at risk.
- Demonstrate awareness and understanding of workplace hazards and how to identify, report, and control them.
- Receive specialized training when their work involves unique hazards.
Training and education are essential to ensure that workers can fully participate in workplace safety and health programs and are alert to finding and fixing potential hazards before they lead to injury or illness.
The OSHA Training Center offers a full roster of OSHA standards-based training, including:
OSHA 511 – OSHA Standards for General Industry
- January 19-22 and March 29-April 1 | San Francisco Bay Area – Dublin, CA
- February 1-4 | Southern CA – Carson
- February 22-March 3 | Phoenix, AZ – Gateway Community College
- April 18-21 | Sacramento, CA Safety Center
- April 19-22 | Reno, NV
Visit the OSHA Training Center website for a complete schedule of classes.