OSHA has announced a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to encourage compliance with safety and health standards at nursing and residential care facilities through programmed inspections.  The NEP, which directs OSHA compliance officers to focus inspections on ergonomic stressors associated with lifting patients; slips, trips, and falls; bloodborne pathogens; exposure to tuberculosis; and workplace violence, took effect on April 5, 2012 and is scheduled to remain in place for three years.  The attached Special Report summarizes the key aspects of the NEP and provides guidance to help ensure compliance with the OSHA standards identified as target areas.