The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a new national enforcement directive on May 13, 2025, updating guidelines for its Strategic Partnership Program for Worker Safety and Health. The directive, designated CSP-03-02-004, represents the agency's continued commitment to collaborative approaches in improving workplace safety standards across American industries.
The Strategic Partnership Program directive establishes a framework for cooperative relationships between OSHA and employers, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance worker protection beyond traditional enforcement mechanisms. This approach reflects the agency's recognition that sustainable workplace safety improvements often result from voluntary partnerships rather than solely punitive measures.
Under the updated directive, OSHA will work with participating organizations to develop comprehensive safety and health management systems tailored to specific workplace hazards and industry challenges. The program emphasizes proactive hazard identification, employee training, and continuous improvement in safety protocols. Participating employers commit to going beyond minimum compliance requirements to create safer work environments.
The directive applies nationwide and covers all industries under OSHA's jurisdiction. It provides detailed guidance on how employers can qualify for strategic partnerships, including requirements for demonstrated commitment to worker safety, effective safety management systems, and willingness to share best practices with other organizations. Participating employers must maintain injury and illness rates below industry averages and demonstrate continuous improvement in safety performance.
Key components of the Strategic Partnership Program include collaborative development of safety training programs, joint workplace inspections focused on hazard identification rather than citations, and regular evaluation of safety metrics. The program also encourages sharing of innovative safety solutions and best practices among participants, creating a network of organizations committed to excellence in workplace safety.
The updated directive reflects lessons learned from previous partnership initiatives and incorporates feedback from employers, labor organizations, and OSHA field staff. It streamlines application processes for potential partners while maintaining rigorous standards for program participation. The directive also clarifies expectations for both OSHA personnel and participating organizations throughout the partnership lifecycle.
For employers, participation in the Strategic Partnership Program offers several potential benefits. These include reduced frequency of routine OSHA inspections, priority access to OSHA consultation services, and recognition as industry leaders in workplace safety. However, participation requires sustained commitment to safety excellence and transparency in reporting safety performance data.
The directive addresses various types of strategic partnerships, from site-specific agreements focused on individual facilities to industry-wide partnerships addressing common hazards across multiple employers. It also provides guidance on partnerships with trade associations, labor organizations, and educational institutions to promote widespread adoption of effective safety practices.
Implementation of the updated directive will be coordinated through OSHA's regional and area offices, which will work directly with potential partners to develop customized agreements. The directive requires regular monitoring and evaluation of partnership effectiveness, ensuring that collaborative efforts produce measurable improvements in worker safety outcomes.
The timing of this directive aligns with broader federal initiatives to enhance workplace safety through collaborative approaches. It supports the Biden administration's emphasis on worker protection while recognizing the important role that employer commitment plays in creating safe working conditions.
Industry groups have generally responded positively to partnership-based approaches to workplace safety, viewing them as more effective than purely regulatory methods for achieving sustainable safety improvements. Labor organizations have supported strategic partnerships when they include meaningful worker participation in safety decision-making processes.
The directive also addresses emerging workplace safety challenges, including those related to new technologies, changing work arrangements, and evolving understanding of occupational health risks. It encourages partnerships to address these emerging issues proactively rather than waiting for regulatory requirements to develop.
OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program represents one of several voluntary compliance assistance programs offered by the agency. These programs complement traditional enforcement activities by providing employers with resources and incentives to exceed minimum safety standards voluntarily.
The success of strategic partnerships under the updated directive will depend on sustained commitment from all participants and effective coordination between OSHA personnel and partner organizations. Regular evaluation and continuous improvement will be essential to ensure that partnerships deliver meaningful benefits for worker safety and health.
Employers interested in participating in the Strategic Partnership Program should contact their local OSHA area office to discuss potential opportunities and requirements. The directive provides detailed application procedures and evaluation criteria to guide potential partners through the qualification process.