New OSHA Weighting System Could Lead to More Inspections
By Kim Slowey, ConstructionDive.com
Effective Oct. 1, OSHA put a new weighting system in place for workplace safety and health inspections for fiscal year 2020. The new OSHA Weighting System (OWS) replaces the former time-centric program, which was implemented in 2015.
OSHA said that the new OWS, which was based on an evaluation of the existing program and on recommendations from a working group, will help agency employees better allocate resources and focus on "critical and strategic" areas that have the most impact.
The new system, which adds enforcement initiatives such as site-specific targeting to the weighting of an incident, was designed to better recognize that time is not the only factor to assess when considering the potential impact of an inspection. "Other factors — such as types of hazards inspected and abated, and effective targeting — also influence the impact on workplace safety and health," an OSHA press release reads."
Want us to share your news or article? Contact Courtney Smyser at [email protected]