OSHA will be implementing an emphasis program to oversee construction projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The programs will be designed to monitor safety issues such as fall protection and electrocution hazards. In addition, the program will address issues associated with the expedited scheduling and nontraditional work hours that are occurring because of the requirement that the stimulus money be spent quickly. Under the program OSHA will conduct random inspections of stimulus funded projects.

OSHA is expected to hire 30 new inspection officers by 2010 in keeping with President Obama’s budget request for funding to hire 130 new inspectors.