OSHA Announces Safety Champions Program

OSHA announced on March 16 that it is launching a Safety Champions Program.

The agency describes the program as a "new cooperative initiative designed to help employers develop and implement effective safety and health programs."

The Safety Champions Program emphasizes seven elements: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, prevention and control, education and training, program evaluation, and communication.

The agency notes that by incorporating these elements, employers can create safety and health programs that not only meet regulations but also enhance workplace safety and health.

Upon completion of all three levels of the program, participants are expected to have implemented all seven elements and show plans for continuous improvement of their safety and health programs.

The agency says that this program "meets businesses where they are on their pathway to safety and health success and encourages them to take proactive steps with a philosophy of continuous improvement to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities."

“By providing employers with these resources, we are putting American workers first and keeping them healthy and safe on the job,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, in a statement.

The program has three progressive steps: Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced, each aligned with OSHA’s recommended practices for safety and health programs. This tiered structure allows employers to build their safety and health programs over time and adopt best practices tailored to their needs and operations.

Participants can choose to work independently or collaborate with Special Government Employees – individuals with safety and health experience who work alongside OSHA to provide guidance and technical assistance.