If You Operate a Warehouse, OSHA Is Watching

What happened: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) July 16 announced updates to its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for warehousing and distribution center operations. Under the revised directive, all NEP inspections will be comprehensive, with compliance officers evaluating a broad range of workplace hazards.

Inspections may include powered industrial truck (forklift) operations, material handling and storage, walking-working surfaces and slip, trip, and fall hazards, emergency exits and egress, heat-related risks, ergonomics, and fire prevention and protection.

Why it matters: OSHA extended and updated the NEP because warehousing and distribution operations continue to experience higher-than-average injury and illness rates. According to the agency, Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates for these industries remain significantly above the private-sector average.

ARTBA members that warehouse or distribute products may face increased scrutiny, and comprehensive inspections covering hazards that go beyond the initial issue. State-plan OSHA programs must adopt measures at least as effective as the federal directive within six months.

What’s next: OSHA will use neutral, objective criteria to select facilities for programmed inspections. Area offices may also conduct inspections following fatalities, catastrophic incidents, employee complaints, or referrals. Employers should review warehouse safety programs and address potential hazards before an inspection occurs.

For more information, contact ARTBA’s Brad Sant or Prianka Sharma.