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Case Studies

Program Implementation
The OSHA Challenge Pilot

The Challenge

In a statement of his vision, the newly-appointed Assistant Secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor encouraged OSHA to provide increased opportunities for eligible employers interested in working with OSHA to create safer and healthier workplaces for their employees. To help support this, he wanted to enlist private firms to assist in accomplishing this goal.

The Assistant Secretary charged OSHA’s Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs (DCSP) with the task of developing and implementing a new program that would help to achieve his vision.

Our Approach

The Director of Partnership and Recognition Programs of DCSP/OSHA contracted with TATC Consulting to assist her staff in designing and implementing the new program to address the Assistant Secretary’s vision and agenda.

Phase 1: Developed Concept for a New Pilot Program

  • TATC facilitated work group meetings with OSHA’s stakeholders (e.g., businesses, non-profit associations, and labor) to develop broad parameters for the new program
  • We developed concept papers and a detailed framework for the new program, called the “OSHA Challenge Program”
  • We also presented the framework to OSHA’s constituency to obtain further feedback and guidance.

Once OSHA senior management gave their approval for the parameters of the program, we then worked with DCSP staff to develop a detailed implementation plan and associated materials.

Phase 2: Developed an Implementation Toolkit

  • Worked with the OSHA staff to develop detailed program parameters, including participant and administrator requirements for each of three safety and health “stages”
  • Developed an electronic application package for use by potential program administrators (mentors) and program participants
  • Developed a database tracking system to track and evaluate participant performance
  • Prepared pilot program policies, procedures, and guidance
  • Prepared training materials and delivered on-line training sessions to OSHA staff and Challenge Program Administrators on the program

Results Achieved

  • OSHA met the Assistant Secretary’s deadline for implementation of the Challenge Pilot – kicking off the program in May 2004
  • 12 government, private, and non-profit organizations have signed up to serve as OSHA Challenge Administrators
  • More than 50 companies are currently participating in the pilot program