OSHA Implements New Weighting System for Workplace Inspections
OSHA knows many factors impact workplace safety. Starting today, OSHA will put into effect its new weighting system for workplace safety and health inspections.
OSHA inspections are getting a makeover; now, they will consider other factors outside of just a time-weighted basis. The OSHA Weighting System (OWS) will go into effect October 1, 2019, and will replace the current weighting system initiated in FY 2015.
A new weighted inspection system comes from the growing concern that the current reliance on the factor of time does not provide a holistic evaluation of a workplace’s safety and health. OSHA understands time is not the only factor to assess when considering the potential impact of an inspection. Other factors—like types of hazards inspected and abated and effective targeting—also influence the impact on workplace safety and health. The new system includes enforcement initiatives like Site-Specific Targeting to the weighting system.
OSHA’s new weighting system will incorporate the three major work elements performed by the field: enforcement activity, essential enforcement support functions (e.g., severe injury reporting and complaint resolution), and compliance assistance efforts. OHSA has been running the new weighting system to confirm data integrity.
For more information, read the OHSA news release on the new system.