OSHA Consultation Provides Substantial Economic Boost

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published a report analyzing the value of its On-Site Consultation Program (OSC). The administration found that the OSHA consultation program’s free, confidential consultations contribute nearly $1.3 billion to the U.S. economy every year in prevented injuries and illnesses. 

The OSC has been in place since 1975, offering free health and safety services to small and medium-sized businesses. OSHA claims that employers who implement the suggestions given in the consultation can benefit from decreased illness and injuries among their workers, time saved, higher morale, and lower worker’s compensation insurance premiums.

This is the first time that OSHA has come up with a quantitative estimate for the value of the program. They based their $1.3 billion number on injuries and illnesses prevented by OSC intervention. In 2017, the OSC program made approximately 26,000 visits to small businesses, which employ over 1.1 million people across the nation.

Employers generally appreciate the OSHA consultation program as consultations are confidential — so issues are not reported to OSHA inspectors. In fact, participating businesses can even receive a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections. The main goals of the program are to educate employers on the hazards of their workplace, improve programs that already exist, and to correct serious job safety and health hazards.

OSHA Consultations: What to Expect

To receive an on-site consultation, employers must request it. Consultants will study the entire workplace to find any health or safety risks, and then walk the employer through their findings. Then, they will send a detailed report to that employer with all of their findings and recommendations, including a potential exemption period from OSHA inspections. It is then up to the employer to make the positive changes to improve the safety and health of his/her workplace.

What’s Next?

After completing a consultation — implementing a medical surveillance program is the next best step for employers to take. Medical surveillance is a systematic assessment of your employees who may be potentially exposed to occupational hazards. This is a great way to implement the advice given by consultants, as medical surveillance can continually monitor workers for any adverse health effects. This can also show the effectiveness of any prevention strategies that have been implemented

With Worksite Medical, employers can set-up an ongoing medical surveillance program to make sure their employees are staying healthy. We use mobile medical units to bring the lab directly to your work site. That means no lost days spent on off-site lab visits. Call us today at 1-844-OCCUMED or visit us online to schedule an appointment today.