Concluding Remarks on Systematic Approach to OSH

Most safety experts and a number of organizations that develop OSH standards strongly recommend taking a systematic approach to safety and health within the workplace. Building such a structure provides management with an organized and consistent template for injury and illness prevention. However, there is currently no legal requirement to have such a system in place.

OSHA attempted to mandate the implementation of a "safety management system" by all employers under their jurisdiction in the 1980s, but this effort was not successful. This failed proposal has since served as a model for employers in the form of guidelines available on the OSHA website. However, these guidelines are considered voluntary and there is no regulatory obligation for employers to follow them.

This issue has recently garnered some attention as OSHA is now revisiting the concept of requiring employers to develop a formal "system" for managing their safety efforts. OSHA has proposed mandating a system which is being referred to as the "Injury and Illness Prevention Program" or "I2P2."