Workplace Safety and Health: OSHA's Voluntary Compliance Strategies Show Promising Results, but Should be Fully Evaluated Before They Are Expanded

In August 2006, OSHA reported that an external evaluation of OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program was completed in September 2005. The report indicated that VPP participants experienced reductions of injuries and illness. OSHA also upgraded its automated database systems for the VPP and Partnership programs in 2006 to manage program information more efficiently. OSHA's February 2005 strategic partnership directive included a new format for the annual evaluation report, which should help ensure consistency in the data collected. OSHA also established tools to monitor the consultation program's effectiveness and the effectiveness of services delivered by the consultation projects. These include quarterly reports with performance measurements, six of which OSHA uses as factors in allocating funds for the program. In FY07, OSHA did not provide an update. OSHA's FY08 update did not provide any new information to address the recommendation. GAO also determined that the evaluation report was not useful.

OSHA had reported in 2006 that its strategic plan was being updated and that its goals and performance measures would align with the department's goals for workplace safety and health. OSHA's voluntary compliance programs allow OSHA constituents to choose the program that effectively addresses their workplace safety and health issues, according to OSHA. Except for the Consultation program, which is legislatively mandated and has earmarked funds, OSHA's voluntary programs depend upon constituent demand rather than agency resource allocation. However, GAO's recommendation focuses on the need for OSHA to set priorities among these programs before further expanding them.