Risk and Safety

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Risk and Safety

Reference Number: MTAS-485
Reviewed Date: 09/04/2026

Overview
Cities need both a risk management program and a workplace safety program. Together they reduce losses, protect employees, and keep the city in compliance with OSHA and TOSHA rules.

Risk management
The Public Risk Management Association defines risk management as identifying, evaluating, selecting, and putting actions in place to eliminate or reduce harm. A city risk program should:

  • Identify exposures
  • Identify mitigation efforts
  • Select and implement effective programs
  • Monitor results

Workplace safety
A workplace safety program aims to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on the job. It also spells out what employers and employees must do during and after an incident, and works to remove or reduce ongoing hazards.

OSHA standards to address
Common OSHA standards a Tennessee city safety program should cover:

  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Fall Protection
  • Hazard Communication (updated in 2024 to align with GHS Rev. 7; compliance rolls through January 2026 for manufacturers and importers and July 2026 for employers)
  • Lockout/Tagout
  • Permit-Required Confined Space
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Tuberculosis

Electronic recordkeeping
Under OSHA's Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses final rule (29 CFR 1904.41), effective January 1, 2024, establishments with 100 or more employees in designated high-hazard industries must electronically submit Form 300 and Form 301 data each year in addition to Form 300A. Establishments with 20 to 249 employees in certain high-hazard industries continue to submit Form 300A electronically. Tennessee OSHA (TOSHA) has adopted the federal electronic reporting requirements.

Key sources

Your safety program may want to address some of the following OSHA Standards:


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