On May 20, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it has updated its Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Program, OSHA’s primary planned inspection program for non-construction employers with twenty or more employees.
The SST program directs Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) to establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses according to OSHA Form 300 A data submitted annually. Using data from calendar years 2021-2023, establishments may be selected for inspection based on:
- High injury and illness rates from 2023 data.
- Upwardly trending injury and illness rates based on 2021-2023 data at or above twice the 2022 private sector average.
- Injury and illness rates markedly below industry averages.
- Failure to submit an OSHA Form 300A in 2023.
The new policy replaces the previous SST program directive issued on February 7, 2023.
OSHA’s programmed inspection scheduling for construction remains unchanged. Due to the mobility of the construction industry, the transitory nature of construction worksites, and because construction worksites frequently involve more than one construction employer, inspections are scheduled from a list of construction worksites rather than construction employers. The National Office provides each Area Office a randomly selected list of construction projects from all identified or known covered active projects. OSHA also uses emphasis programs to target high-risk industries and hazards, which includes common construction activities such as falls, trenching and excavation, and silica.
For additional information, refer to the Site-Specific Targeting (SST) directive and the DOL news release.
Contact Kevin Cannon for more information.