Rick Barton, CSP, ARM May 27, 2025 3 min read

OSHA Updates Inspection Program to Focus on Workplaces With Highest Injury and Illness Rates

On May 20, 2025, OSHA announced its updated Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program, which directs agency enforcement resources to inspect establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. The SST inspection program uses objective data from injury and illness information that employers submit under OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements.

The changes went into effect on May 20, 2025, and the new directive replaces the previous SST inspection program directive issued on Feb. 7, 2023. This directive terminates May 20, 2027, unless a new instruction replaces it.

Background

The SST inspection program is OSHA’s primary planned inspection program for non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees. It uses employer-submitted Form 300A data for calendar years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

By applying industry and establishment-size criteria, OSHA focuses data collection on establishments most likely to be experiencing elevated rates and increased numbers of occupational injuries and illnesses.

Key Information

Using OSHA Form 300A data from calendar years 2021-23, establishments may be selected for inspection based on:

  • High injury and illness rates from 2023 data;
  • Upwardly trending injury and illness rates based on 2021-23 data at or above twice the 2022 private sector average;
  • Injury and illness rates that are markedly below industry averages; and
  • Failure to submit an OSHA Form 300A in 2023.

Employer Next Steps

Employers should review all their workplace safety programs, policies, and practices and ensure they provide a safe work environment for their employees that complies with OSHA standards. Employers can utilize OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, which provides free, confidential occupational safety and health services to help small and medium-sized businesses identify workplace hazards, comply with OSHA standards, and establish and improve safety and health programs. OSHA’s on-site consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations.  

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Rick Barton, CSP, ARM

Rick has over 20 years of experience in safety and risk control, working with clients in many industries including Construction, Mining, Trucking, Manufacturing, and Hospitality. He specializes in assessing risk for the clients of Hausmann Group to reduce loss potential. Through safety assessments and loss analysis, Rick develops solutions which include safety management techniques, training, and engineering. Additionally, he has been asked to speak at local and national safety conferences on topics such as "How to Manage Safety on a Jobsite", and "What it takes to be a Safety Leader”. Rick is an Authorized Instructor of OSHA Regulations Construction and General Industry Regulations. He is an active member of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA), Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), the Wisconsin chapter of The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), and the Association of General Contractors (AGC). He is also on the Advisory Board of the Safety Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Rick is an avid boater and enjoys sharing time on the water with family and friends. His children are spread across 4 U.S. states and Japan, so he and his wife are often traveling to visit them. He also has attended more than 150 games in the last 15 years to see his beloved Green Bay Packers play.

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