On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an important update to its Site-Specific Targeting program, its primary planned inspection initiative for non-construction workplaces with 20 or more employees. This directive sharpens the agency’s focus on businesses with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses based on recordkeeping data submitted via OSHA Form 300A.
This update has significant implications for businesses in industries such as manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, transportation, and other sectors prone to operational hazards. As a leader in workplace safety solutions, STC Safety & Risk Management is here to help you understand what’s changed, how it affects your business, and how you can take proactive steps to stay ahead.
📰 OSHA News Release Reference:
U.S. Department of Labor. (2025, May 20). US Department of Labor updates inspection program focusing on workplaces with highest injury, illness rates.
Read the full news release here.
What’s New in the Updated Site-Specific Targeting Program?
OSHA’s revised inspection program, which replaces the previous directive from February 2023, uses Form 300A data from calendar years 2021–2023 to determine which establishments will be prioritized for inspection. Businesses may be selected based on the following criteria:
- High injury and illness rates reported in 2023.
- Upward trends in injury and illness rates across 2021–2023, at or above twice the 2022 private sector average.
- Unusually low rates that fall markedly below industry averages — potentially indicating underreporting or data discrepancies.
- Failure to submit OSHA Form 300A for 2023.
This approach aims to ensure that OSHA’s enforcement resources are focused where they’re needed most — at workplaces where the risk to worker safety is greatest.
What This Means for Employers
If your establishment falls into one of these categories, you may be at an elevated risk of being selected for a programmed OSHA inspection. Even if you believe your safety program is strong, now is the time to verify your compliance posture.
Here’s how to prepare:
1. Audit Your OSHA Recordkeeping
Ensure your OSHA Form 300, 300A, and 301 logs are up to date and accurately reflect workplace incidents. Improper or incomplete reporting can lead to red flags — or worse, enforcement action.
2. Analyze Your Incident Trends
Review your injury and illness data over the past three years. Are your numbers increasing? Are you exceeding industry benchmarks? Identifying trends now allows you to make targeted improvements.
3. Reinforce Your Safety Programs
Evaluate whether your current health and safety programs are not only compliant, but also effective. Consider reviewing your training, hazard assessments, incident investigation processes, and employee engagement.
4. Be Proactive with On-Site Consultations
OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers free and confidential support to small and mid-sized businesses. These services help identify hazards, improve safety programs, and do not result in citations. This is an excellent way to prepare — especially when coupled with expert support from professionals like STC Safety.
How STC Safety & Risk Management Can Support You
At STC Safety & Risk Management, we help organizations take a proactive approach to safety compliance and injury prevention. Here’s how we can help in light of OSHA’s updated directive:
- Recordkeeping & Compliance Audits
We’ll review your OSHA logs, safety documentation, and injury reporting to ensure accuracy and flag any risk areas. - Data-Driven Safety Strategy
Using your historical data, we identify trends and root causes and build a strategy to reduce recordable incidents and elevate safety culture. - SST Readiness Assessments
We simulate OSHA-style inspections tailored to Site-Specific Targeting criteria, so you can prepare for a potential inspection with confidence. - Tailored Safety Programs
Whether you need help updating training, improving incident response, or addressing high-risk job functions, our experts build custom safety plans aligned with OSHA best practices.
Final Thoughts
The revised Site-Specific Targeting program is a clear signal that OSHA is doubling down on data-driven enforcement. For employers, this means that your injury and illness reporting is more important than ever — not just for compliance, but as a direct factor in how and when you might be inspected.
By partnering with a safety expert like STC Safety & Risk Management, you gain more than just compliance. You gain peace of mind knowing your workplace is safer, your documentation is sound, and your team is prepared for whatever regulatory scrutiny may come your way.
Ready to assess your SST risk and strengthen your safety program?
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation with one of our safety and compliance specialists.
