Written Safety & Health Program

To reduce work-related injuries and maintain a safe, healthy work environment, OSHA instituted a standard that requires each employer to develop and implement a written Safety and Health Program. The primary purpose of the program is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths; and to prevent the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause workers, their families, and employers. According to OSHA, the Safety and Health Program should achieve the following objectives:

• Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
• Improve compliance with laws and regulations
• Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers' compensation premiums
• Engage workers
• Enhance the social responsibility goals of workers
• Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations

The written Safety and Health Program should identify, evaluate, and control safety and health hazards. It should also provide emergency response procedures for each hazardous waste site or treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF).

The Safety and Health Program provides recommended practices in the following core areas:

• Management leadership
• Worker participation
• Hazard identification and assessment
• Hazard prevention and control
• Education and training
• Program evaluation and improvement
• Communication and coordination for host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies

To learn more about Hazardous Waste visit our Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.