OSHA has updated the “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs” it first released 30 years ago, to reflect changes in the economy, workplaces and evolving safety and health issues.

The recommended practices present a step-by-step approach to implementing a safety and health program, built around seven core elements that make up a successful program, according to the agency.

The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers.

The recommended practices use a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health. Traditional approaches are often reactive -– that is, problems are addressed only after a worker is injured or becomes sick, a new standard or regulation is published, or an outside inspection finds a problem that must be fixed. These recommended practices recognize that finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury or illness is a far more effective approach, OSHA says.