{"id":11057,"date":"2026-03-11T19:30:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T19:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connmacielcarey.mystagingwebsite.com\/osha-defense-report\/?p=11057"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:40:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T17:40:47","slug":"osha-launches-safety-champions-program-to-help-employers-develop-and-implement-effective-safety-and-health-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.connmaciel.com\/osha-defense-report\/osha-launches-safety-champions-program-to-help-employers-develop-and-implement-effective-safety-and-health-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"OSHA Launches Safety Champions Program to Help Employers Develop and Implement Effective Safety and Health Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Continuing the Trump Administration\u2019s efforts to support employer compliance through education and assistance, OSHA recently added a new option to its array of cooperative programs administered by the agency\u2019s Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (\u201cDCSP\u201d).  The stated \u201cmain goal\u201d of the Safety Champions Program<\/a><\/strong> (\u201cSCP\u201d or \u201cProgram\u201d) is \u201cto prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths,\u201d which OSHA plans to achieve by shepherding employers through a progressive three-step framework designed \u201cto develop and implement . . . effective safety and health program[s].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants will be guided by the core elements<\/a><\/strong> of OSHA\u2019s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. \n
      \n
    1. Management Leadership;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Worker Participation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Hazard Identification and Assessment;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Hazard Prevention and Control;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Education and Training;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Program Evaluation and Improvement; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Communication and Coordination for host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The SCP\u2019s three steps include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

      A. Introductory Step.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      At this Step, SCP participants are introduced to the seven core elements of OSHA\u2019s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs. Participants will assess their worksite for safety and health hazards and begin developing or revising safety and health programs to align with the seven core elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      B. Intermediate Step.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      At this Step, SCP participants focus on implementing their SHPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      C. Advanced Step.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      At this Step, participants have fully developed and implemented SHPS and routinely assess and improve their SHPs\u2019 policies and practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Feb. 24, 2026, Safety Champions Program Policies and Procedures Manual (\u201cDirective No. CSP-03-01-006<\/a><\/strong>\u201d) at 10.  And OSHA organized its SCP Step Guide<\/a><\/strong> around the core elements to break each step into actionable portions.  For example, under Management Leadership, the Step Guide lists an initial goal for employers to communicate their commitment to their safety and health programs, and explains how that goal can be achieved in each Safety Champions step:<\/p>\n\n\n

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      \"Picture1<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      OSHA plans to release a Safety Champions Tracker that will allow employers to memorialize their progress through each step.  Special Government Employees (\u201cSGE\u201d) \u201cwill evaluate participant progress and confirm this improvement.\u201d  Directive No. CSP-03-01-006 at 8.  OSHA uses SGEs to foster safety through collaboration with industry, including under Voluntary Protection Programs (\u201cVPP\u201d), and according to SCP information sessions presented on March 10 and 12, 2026, the agency is designating a specific group to support the SCP.  The SCP Coordinator will run the SCP from OSHA\u2019s National Office, including \u201cconnecting participants with SGEs, and communicating with and requesting SGEs from the SGE Coordinator.\u201d  Directive No. CSP-03-01-006 at 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      While the Program is \u201cself-paced,\u201d one of the Guiding Principles listed in the agency\u2019s Directive, calls for \u201cContinuous Improvement.\u201d  See id. <\/em>at 8-9.  So, to maintain participation, employers must be prepared to act in good faith to move through the SCP at a reasonable cadence, all the while communicating with OSHA and seeking needed feedback from SGEs.  SGEs will consider participants\u2019 progress to consider when they have completed SCP steps, and the SCP Coordinator will verify completion.  Employers will receive recognition certificates from the Director of DCSP upon completion of the Introductory and Intermediate steps, followed by one from the Assistant Secretary for OSHA after finishing the Advanced step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      OSHA has steadily increased resources addressing the SCP since its initial announcement \u2013 and launch of its minimalist website \u2013 including the Directive, Step Guide, information sessions, and a Fact Sheet<\/a>.  Nonetheless, questions about the Program and concerns about participation remain, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n