New OSHA Program Targets Safety for Material Handling Workers
Safety is the top concern of a new OSHA program, which aims to direct resources toward workers in high-risk industries, including material handling. “Our enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker in a press release.
This 3-year national emphasis program (NEP) includes “comprehensive safety inspections” that relate to hazards in material handling. OSHA attributed the need for the NEP to the rapid growth of warehousing and distribution center employees over the past decade and the rising rate of illness and injury. In the NEP instruction, OSHA stated that from 2017-2021, the average incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses were “significantly higher than the baseline private general industry rate.”
According to the OSHA instruction, State Plans are required to participate in this NEP – or adopt a similarly effective directive. The instruction also outlines the process for selecting the target sites and conducting inspections.
Speaking of safety, today is the deadline to submit your feedback to OSHA on the current use of leading indicators and their impact on managing health and safety systems. Learn more about how to submit your comments today.
