The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on July 13 announced a new national emphasis program intended to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities distribution centers and other high-risk retail establishments, according to a Labor Department news release.

Over the past decade, warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth, with more than 1.9 million people employed in the industry, OSHA said.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows injury and illness rates for these establishments “are higher than in private industry overall and, in some sectors, more than twice the rate of private industry,” according to the news release.

During the emphasis program — which is expected to last three years — OSHA said it will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress and fire protection.

“Our enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “This emphasis program allows OSHA to direct resources to establishments where evidence shows employers must be more intentional in addressing the root causes of worker injuries and align their business practices with the goal to ensure worker health and safety.”

In addition, the program is expected to include inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates with a focus on storage and loading areas. OSHA, however, said it also may expand an inspection’s scope when “evidence shows that violations may exist in other areas of the establishment.”

State plans are required to adopt this emphasis program or establish a different program at least as effective as the federal model, OSHA said.

Read more about the new program here.