OSHA Inspection Changes - Critical Info for Employers

OSHA updates
Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Inspection Program

What is SST?

SST is the agency’s primary planned inspection initiative for non-construction workplaces with 20 or more employees. On May 20, 2025, OSHA unveiled significant updates to its SST inspection program, sharpening its focus on workplaces with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. This move is designed to better protect workers by directing enforcement resources where they are most needed.

How does it work?

• Data-driven selection: OSHA uses injury and illness data from Form 300A, which employers are required to submit annually, to identify which establishments to inspect
• Focus Areas:
  • workplaces with high injury and illness rates
  • businesses showing upward trends in injury and illness rates
  • workplaces with rates below industry averages to check for possible underreporting
  • employers who failed to submit the required Form 300A data
• Exclusions:
  • construction worksites
  • public-sector employers
  • low-risk environments such as office-only typically excluded
  • participants in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) or Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) are generally excluded from the inspection list
• Objective: by focusing on workplaces most likely to have safety issues, the SST program aims to maximize the effectiveness of OSHA's enforcement efforts

Employer Next Steps

Employers should review all their workplace safety programs, policies, and practices to ensure they provide a safe work environment for their employees that complies with OSHA standards. To further strengthen safety and compliance, employers can take advantage of OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, which offers 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.  

In today's evolving landscape, the right advisor does more than sell policies; they offer hands-on compliance support, conduct risk assessments, and offer practical tools to help create safer workplaces and control costs. Reaching out to us is the first step toward a true partnership focused on your ongoing safety, compliance, and long-term peace of mind.

Bottom Line:

OSHA’s revamped inspection program marks a decisive shift toward smarter, more targeted enforcement. The latest SST program update uses data from 2021 to 2023 and will remain in effect for two years unless replaced.

Compliance Made Easy
Find Out How
Call #TeamKoppinger