The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a new initiative called the Safety Champions Program, designed to help employers cultivate and sustain robust safety and health practices in the workplace. The new program aims to significantly reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by providing a structured framework based on proven safety principles.
Central to the Safety Champions Program are seven core elements outlined in OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs:
- Management Leadership
- Worker Participation
- Hazard Identification and Assessment
- Hazard Prevention and Control
- Education and Training
- Program Evaluation and Improvement
- Communication and Coordination among host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies
The Safety Champions Program is organized into three self-guided steps:
- Introductory: OSHA’s guidelines are used as a starting point to spot safety gaps and build a basic program.
- Intermediate: Safety programs are strengthened, worker involvement is increased and hazard controls are improved.
- Advanced: Safety is embedded in the culture with ongoing improvement and active worker involvement.
Participants can progress through each of the three stages at their own pace and have the option – at any point – to request assistance from a Safety Champion Special Government Employee (SGE) in assessing their safety and health program and Step progress.
While the Safety Champions Program provides a valuable framework for promoting workplace safety, employers must remain mindful that mere participation does not eliminate hazards or ensure OSHA compliance. The program functions as a foundational guide, requiring employers to proactively implement actionable strategies in order to safeguard employees effectively.