Labor Department expands voluntary safety programs for employers

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced several programs to help employers “voluntarily assess and improve their compliance” with federal labor laws.

“The self-audit programs, which include new and updated offerings, aim to enhance worker protections while reducing the likelihood of formal investigation or litigation,” the department said in a statement issued Thursday.

For the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the department said the agency is expanding its Voluntary Protection Programs “to meet businesses where they are on their safety journey to help develop strong safety programs and lower injury rates, allowing them to undergo regular self-evaluations and avoid routine inspections.”

OSHA is also increasing its efforts to support voluntary compliance through its On-Site Consultation Program, which offers no-cost and confidential safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses.