OSHA’s 2013 Targeted Inspection Plan to Protect Federal Workers

OSHA has issued its annual inspection plan of federal agency establishments under its Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program (FEDTARG) directive for fiscal year 2013. FEDTARG directs programmed inspections of federal agency establishments where a high number of employees have been absent due to injuries they sustained at work.

The directive outlines the procedures for carrying out programmed inspections at these federal worksites. OSHA will inspect all establishments reporting 100 or more cases where a worker is away from work due to injury during fiscal year 2012; 50% of those establishments reporting 50 to 99 cases; and 10% of those reporting 20 to 49 cases.

The FEDTARG13 directive also clarifies how OSHA develops the inspection lists and includes a new standard from U.S Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

The inspection targeting program began in 2008 in response to a Government Accountability Office audit report that recommended that OSHA develop a targeted inspection program for federal worksites. Executive Order 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees, requires Federal OSHA to “conduct unannounced inspections of agency workplaces when the Secretary determines necessary if an agency does not have occupational safety and health committees; or in response to reports of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions.”