New OSHA Program Aims to Boost Warehouse & DC Safety - Modern Distribution Management

New OSHA Program Aims to Boost Warehouse & DC Safety

The program is designed to prevent hazards in warehouses, processing facilities distribution centers and high-risk retail establishments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on July 13 announced a new national emphasis program intended to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities distribution centers and other high-risk retail establishments, according to a Labor Department news release.

Over the past decade, warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth, with more than 1.9 million people employed in the industry, OSHA said.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows injury and illness rates for these establishments “are higher than in private industry overall and, in some sectors, more than twice the rate of private industry,” according to the news release.

During the emphasis program — which is expected to last three years — OSHA said it will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress and fire protection.

“Our enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “This emphasis program allows OSHA to direct resources to establishments where evidence shows employers must be more intentional in addressing the root causes of worker injuries and align their business practices with the goal to ensure worker health and safety.”

In addition, the program is expected to include inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates with a focus on storage and loading areas. OSHA, however, said it also may expand an inspection’s scope when “evidence shows that violations may exist in other areas of the establishment.”

State plans are required to adopt this emphasis program or establish a different program at least as effective as the federal model, OSHA said.

Read more about the new program here.

Related Posts

Share this article

About the Author
Recommended Reading
Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter

The MDM update newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.

Get the MDM Update Newsletter

Wholesale distribution news and trends delivered right to your inbox.

Sign-up for our free newsletter and get:

  • Up-to-date news in a quick-to-read format
  • Free access to webcasts, podcasts and live events
  • Exclusive whitepapers, research and reports
  • And more!

2

articles left

Want more Premium content from MDM?

Subscribe today and get:

  • New issues twice each month
  • Unlimited access to mdm.com, including 10+ years of archived data
  • Current trends analysis, market data and economic updates
  • Discounts on select store products and events

Subscribe to continue reading

MDM Premium Subscribers get:

  • Unlimited access to MDM.com
  • 1 year digital subscription, with new issues twice a month
  • Trends analysis, market data and quarterly economic updates
  • Deals on select store products and events

1

article
left

You have one free article remaining

Subscribe to MDM Premium to get unlimited access. Your subscription includes:

  • Two new issues a month
  • Access to 10+ years of archived data on mdm.com
  • Quarterly economic updates, trends analysis and market data
  • Store and event discounts

To continue reading, you must be an MDM Premium subscriber.

Join other distribution executives who use MDM Premium to optimize their business. Our insights and analysis help you enter the right new markets, turbocharge your sales and marketing efforts, identify business partners that help you scale, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Register for full access

By providing your email, you agree to receive announcements from us and our partners for our newsletter, events, surveys, and partner resources per MDM Terms & Conditions. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Learn More about Custom Reports

Request a Market Prospector Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.