OSHA conducts national survey on employers’ safety management systems

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration

A recently launched survey of private sector employees under OSHA’s jurisdiction will continue through July, with data collection anticipated in August. The Baseline Survey of Safety and Health Practices will be used to better design future rules, compliance assistance and outreach efforts. As many as 19,000 private sector employers nationwide will receive the survey; participation is voluntary.

Questions include whether respondents already have a safety management system, whether they perform annual inspections, who manages safety at their establishments and what kinds of hazards they encounter at their facilities. Respondents will receive a paper copy of the survey that can be filled out and returned to Eastern Research Group, OSHA’s contractor, and the option to complete it online. Only those who receive a paper copy of the survey will be able to complete the online version. ERG will provide the anonymous results to OSHA.