OSHA has used an SST inspection program based on injury and illness data for the past five years. This year’s program stems from OSHA’s Data Initiative for 2002, which surveyed about 95,000 employers to obtain injury and illness data for 2001. (The construction industry was included in the survey for the first time; however, it is not included in the SST).

This year’s program, effective mid-June, initially covers about 3,200 individual worksites on the primary list that reported 14.0 or more injuries or illnesses resulting in lost work days or restricted activity for every 100 full-time workers (the LWDII rate). For the first time, sites will also be targeted based on a “days away from work injury and illness” (DAFWII) rate of nine or higher (nine or more cases involving days away from work per 100 full-time employees).

As in past years, OSHA will randomly select and inspect about 200 workplaces across the nation that reported low injury and illness rates for the purpose of reviewing the actual degree of compliance with OSHA requirements. These establishments are selected from those industries with above average LWDII and DAFWII rates. See www.osha.gov.