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DOL/OSHA

RIN: 1218-AC48

Publication ID: Spring 2011

Title: Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Abstract: OSHA is developing a rule requiring employers to implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program. It involves planning, implementing, evaluating, and improving processes and activities that protect employee safety and health. OSHA has substantial data on reductions in injuries and illnesses from employers who have implemented similar effective processes. The Agency currently has voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 FR 3904-3916), published in 1989. An injury and illness prevention rule would build on these guidelines as well as lessons learned from successful approaches and best practices under OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program and similar industry and international initiatives such as American National Standards Institute/American Industrial Hygiene Association Z10 and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001.
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)	Priority: Economically Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Prerule Stage
Major: Undetermined	Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined
CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 29 USC 653 29 USC 655(b) 29 USC 657

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: There are approximately 5,000 workplace fatalities and approximately 3.5 million serious workplace injuries every year. There are also many workplace illnesses caused by exposure to common chemical, physical, and biological agents. OSHA believes that an injury and illness prevention program is a universal intervention that can be used in a wide spectrum of workplaces to dramatically reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries. Such programs have been shown to be effective in many workplaces in the United States and internationally.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 authorizes the Secretary of Labor to set mandatory occupational safety and health standards to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women (29 U.S.C. 651).

Alternatives: The alternatives to this rulemaking would be to issue guidance, recognition programs, or allow for the states to develop individual regulations. OSHA has used voluntary approaches to address the need, including publishing Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines in 1989. In addition, OSHA has two recognition programs, the Voluntary Protection Program (known as VPP), and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (known as SHARP). These programs recognize workplaces with effective safety and health programs. Several States have issued regulations that require employers to establish effective safety and health programs.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The scope of the proposed rulemaking and the costs and benefits are still under development for this regulatory action.

Risks: A detailed risk analysis is underway.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
Stakeholder Meetings	06/03/2010
Initiate SBREFA	06/00/2011

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined	Government Levels Affected: Undetermined
Small Entities Affected: Businesses	Federalism: Undetermined
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty Director, Directorate of Standards and Guidance Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Room N-3718, FP Building, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210 Phone:202 693-1950 Fax:202 693-1678 Email: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov