OSHA puts smaller companies on target list

OSHA has reduced the minimum size for companies to be included under the Site-Specific Targeting program, so that now companies in selected industries with as few as 20 employees can be inspected.

The Site-Specific program is OSHA chief programmed inspection plan for high-hazard, non-construction workplaces. Earlier versions of the program applied only to companies with at least 40 employees. The agency selects establishments randomly for inspection from a primary list of 3,700 manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and nursing and personal care facilities.

Here are the criteria for being included on the list for potential inspection:

Manufacturing establishments

Manufacturing establishments with a DART rate at or above 7.0, or a DAFWII case rate at or above 5.0 (only one of these criteria must be met). This is approximately 3,000 sites.

The DART rate is based on “Days Away, Restrictions and Transfers” for workers per 200,000 hours.

The DAFWII rate is the number of cases of “Days Away from Work Injury and Illness” per 100 full-time equivalent employees.

Non-manufacturing establishments

Non-manufacturing establishments (except for nursing and personal care facilities) with a DART rate at or above 15.0, or a DAFWII case rate at or above 14.0 (only one of these criteria must be met). This is approximately 400 sites.

Nursing and personal care facilities

Nursing and personal care facilities with a DART rate at or above 16.0, or a DAFWII case rate at or above 13.0 (only one of these criteria must be met). This is approximately 300 sites.