OSHA Announces Targeted Inspection Plan for 2007

VHCA (6/7/2007)

The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that its 2007 Site-Specific Targeting (SST) plan will focus on approximately 4,150 high-hazard worksites, including nursing homes and other long term care facilities, in its primary list for unannounced comprehensive inspections for the coming year.  Only the highest 50 percent of rated long term care facilities will be included on the primary OSHA inspection list. Inspections will focus primarily on ergonomic hazards relating to resident handling; exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials; exposure to tuberculosis; and slips, trips, and falls.

The agency will also randomly select and inspect approximately 100 workplaces (with 100 or more employees) nationwide that reported low injury and illness rates for the purpose of reviewing the actual degree of compliance with OSHA requirements. These establishments are selected from those industries with worker injury or illness rates that are higher than the national rate.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees.  For more information about the targeted inspection plan, visit the OSHA website.