OSHA Targets High-Injury Industries Under Updated Directive

OSHA issued a new directive for its long standing Site-Specific Targeting program and Connecticut employers in high-risk industries should take note.

The program focuses on establishments with the highest injury and illness rates, using data submitted through OSHA Forms 300A, 300, and 301.

The updated directive replaces the 2023 version and reflects a more proactive approach to enforcement. 

What’s New? 

The updated directive emphasizes a broader inspection scope.

Rather than waiting for a reportable incident, the agency is now conducting proactive, data-driven inspections of high-risk industries.

The updated directive replaces the 2023 version and reflects a more proactive approach to enforcement. 

Establishments are randomly selected from this pool, meaning you might not get advance notice before inspectors arrive. 

Industries are targeted based on days away, restricted, or transferred rates, which are reevaluated and updated with each directive. 

Heat-Related Inspections Increase

While there is still no formal OSHA standard for heat-related hazards, enforcement in this area is increasing.

Under its National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat Hazards, OSHA is targeting various industries (tables 1-3, appendix A1-A4) using data from 2015 to 2019.

Enforcement actions rely on the general duty clause, which requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause harm. 

Enforcement actions rely on the general duty clause, which requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards. 

If your business is in a high-risk industry, now is the time to act.

Review your days away, restricted, or transferred rates, audit your injury logs, and ensure your heat safety protocols are up to date.

When it comes to OSHA inspections, it’s not a matter of if—it’s a matter of when.