The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has officially launched OSHA Cares, a new agency-wide initiative designed to shift the agency’s relationship with businesses from strictly punitive to more collaborative. The program specifically targets small and medium-sized employers, offering increased access to agency experts and compliance assistance specialists to help businesses meet federal safety standards without fear of immediate penalties.
What This Means for AWCI Members
For wall and ceiling contractors, this initiative signals a strategic effort by federal OSHA to become more approachable. Instead of relying solely on enforcement, the agency is actively encouraging construction employers to reach out for proactive guidance in building and strengthening their internal safety and health programs.
Key Highlights of the Initiative Include:
- Real-Time Assistance During Inspections: OSHA’s directorate of Enforcement Programs is deploying a new training standard for its compliance officers (CSHOs). Moving forward, field inspectors will be trained to offer real-time compliance assistance and helpful safety guidance directly on-site during active inspections and enforcement visits.
- Expanded Small Business Resources: The program will provide easier access to educational materials, training resources, and direct communication with OSHA experts to help small-to-midsize subcontractors navigate complex jobsite hazards.
- The “Safety Champions” Program: Tied closely to this launch, OSHA is promoting its newly structured Safety Champions Program. This tiered program (Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced) helps contractors incrementally develop and evaluate their safety programs using seven core pillars, including management leadership, worker participation, and hazard identification.
- A New Workplace Poster: As part of the initiative, OSHA has released an updated, modernized version of the mandatory workplace safety poster. The new design features messaging aimed at fostering a collaborative approach between employers and craft workers to resolve jobsite safety concerns together.
The Bottom Line
AWCI members are encouraged to take advantage of these expanded compliance resources. By proactively utilizing OSHA’s compliance assistance specialists and the voluntary Safety Champions framework, wall and ceiling contractors can better safeguard their crews, improve jobsite safety cultures, and mitigate risk before an enforcement scenario occurs.
To learn more about the initiative or to access compliance assistance tools, visit the official page at www.OSHA.gov.