Federal worker safety is focus of U.S. Department of Labors OSHA nationwide inspection program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced that it is continuing its nationwide program to emphasize workplace safety and health for federal workers and for those contractors whose work is supervised on a daily basis by federal agency personnel.

The Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program (FEDTARG09) directive provides the procedures OSHA field staff must follow when conducting safety inspections at some of the most hazardous federal workplaces. The federal agencies targeted have experienced a large number of lost time injuries based on data from their fiscal 2008 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs reports.

"OSHA's mission of protecting worker safety doesn't begin and end with private industry," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "It also extends to those who work in federal agencies. This directive is part of OSHA's continued efforts in assuring that the men and women who work to improve the lives of American citizens are provided safe working environments."

This targeted inspection program was developed in 2008 in response to a Government Accountability Office audit report. Field inspectors conducted 109 inspections of high hazard federal worksites during 2008 and found multiple violations of OSHA safety and health standards. FEDTARG09 continues OSHA's commitment to inspect the occupational safety and health programs of federal organizations. For more information on the directive, visit http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/FAP01_09-04.pdf.

OSHA's Office of Federal Agency Programs (FAP) serves as the point of contact for the federal sector regarding occupational safety and health issues. The FAP's purpose is to ensure that each federal agency is provided with guidance for implementing an effective occupational safety and health program. In addition, the FAP provides the president with progress reports on the safety and health programs of federal agencies.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.