The Occupational Safety and Health Administration invites interested parties to a facilitated discussion about the agency’s updated draft Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, from 1-3 p.m. at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C.

The voluntary guidelines, first published in 1989 to help employers establish their own safety and health programs, are being updated to reflect modern technology and practices. New material should be particularly helpful to small- and medium-sized businesses, and it will address ways in which multiple employers at the same worksite can coordinate efforts to protect all workers.

The Dec. 9 meeting, to be led by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, will be the first public discussion of the document and will feature an overview of changes made. Questions should be submitted in advance to publicdavidmichaels@dol.gov. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register for the event, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/worker-health-and-safety-meeting-future-of-work-symposium-registration-19473562951. 

Additional stakeholder meetings will be scheduled for the future.

“Employers who embrace these guidelines will see fewer worker injuries and illnesses, and their progress in improving the safety culture at their worksites will contribute to higher productivity, reduced costs and greater worker satisfaction.”

The guidelines are advisory only and do not create any new legal obligations or alter existing obligations created by OSHA standards or regulations.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.