OSHA’s 21d OSHA’s 21d Consultation ProgramConsultation Program

SHARPSHARP

TRFATRFA

14 November 200514 November 2005

Workplace Safety & Health Workplace Safety & Health Consultation ServicesConsultation Services

Free service delivered by state government Free service delivered by state government (agency or university) with approximately (agency or university) with approximately 90% funding provided by OSHA90% funding provided by OSHA

Consultation services are confidential and Consultation services are confidential and independent of enforcement “side of the independent of enforcement “side of the house”house”

Well trained and professional consultantsWell trained and professional consultants

Workplace Safety & Health Workplace Safety & Health ConsultationConsultation

Services usually provided onsite, though limited Services usually provided onsite, though limited services offsite are availableservices offsite are availableNo citations issued or penalties assessedNo citations issued or penalties assessedEmployer commits to correct serious hazardsEmployer commits to correct serious hazardsConsultation services include:Consultation services include: Evaluation of OSHA mandated safety programsEvaluation of OSHA mandated safety programs Assessment of workplace safety & health Assessment of workplace safety & health

management systemmanagement system Workplace hazard identificationWorkplace hazard identification Training and technical assistanceTraining and technical assistance

Workplace Safety & Health Workplace Safety & Health ConsultationConsultation

How does it work?How does it work? Employer requests services via telephone, Employer requests services via telephone,

letter, fax, or internetletter, fax, or internet Consultant and employer discuss scope of Consultant and employer discuss scope of

services to be provided and establish visit services to be provided and establish visit date based on priority of requestdate based on priority of request1)1) Congressionally mandated activitiesCongressionally mandated activities2)2) Imminent Danger SituationsImminent Danger Situations3) Small, High-Hazard Employers targeted in the

Federal or State strategic plan, National & Local Emphasis Programs, or other “Targeted Industries.”

Workplace Safety & Health Workplace Safety & Health ConsultationConsultation

4) Small, High-Hazard Employersa) High Incidents Rates

b) High-Hazard SIC Codes

c) Alternative High Hazard Listing

d) Secondary SIC

e) Process Hazardousness

f) Small, Non-High Hazard Employers

g) Larger Employers

(Small employer: 250 or fewer employees onsite; less than 500 nationwide)

Workplace Safety & Health Workplace Safety & Health Consultation – Onsite VisitsConsultation – Onsite Visits

Initial VisitInitial VisitOpening Conference – review workplace safety Opening Conference – review workplace safety policies/procedures/programs; injury/illness datapolicies/procedures/programs; injury/illness data

Hazard Survey – identify workplace hazardsHazard Survey – identify workplace hazards

Closing Conference – discuss hazards, recommend Closing Conference – discuss hazards, recommend corrective actions, establish corrective action due datescorrective actions, establish corrective action due dates

Training and Assistance Visits – provide Training and Assistance Visits – provide formal or informal training, as well as technical formal or informal training, as well as technical assistanceassistance

Follow-up Visit – verify correction of hazardsFollow-up Visit – verify correction of hazards

Workplace Safety & Health Workplace Safety & Health Consultation – Onsite VisitsConsultation – Onsite Visits

Initial VisitsInitial Visits Opening Conference- review workplace safety Opening Conference- review workplace safety

policies/procedures/programs; injury/illness datapolicies/procedures/programs; injury/illness data Hazard Survey – identify workplace hazardsHazard Survey – identify workplace hazards Closing Conference – discuss hazards, recommend Closing Conference – discuss hazards, recommend

corrective actions, establish corrective action due corrective actions, establish corrective action due datesdates

Training and Assistance VisitsTraining and Assistance Visits – – provide formal or provide formal or informal training, as well as assistance in interpretation informal training, as well as assistance in interpretation of OSHA Standardsof OSHA Standards

Follow-up Visit –Follow-up Visit – verify correction of hazardsverify correction of hazards

Safety and Health Achievement Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)Recognition Program (SHARP)

Some worksites may qualify for exemption Some worksites may qualify for exemption from programmed OSHA inspections if:from programmed OSHA inspections if:

Effective Safety and Health Management Effective Safety and Health Management System in placeSystem in place

Work related injury and illness incident rates Work related injury and illness incident rates below national industry averagebelow national industry average

Correction of Correction of allall hazards hazards

SHARPSHARPAdministered by Administered by Consultation ProjectsConsultation Projects

Recognizes employers Recognizes employers with exemplary safety with exemplary safety and health management and health management systemssystems

Recognized employers Recognized employers receive “SHARP receive “SHARP Certificate”, flag, and, Certificate”, flag, and, initially, a one year initially, a one year exemption from OSHA exemption from OSHA programmed inspections, programmed inspections, renewable for up to two renewable for up to two years.years.

Benefits of ConsultationBenefits of Consultation

Make safety and health activities routine Make safety and health activities routine considerations rather than crisis-oriented considerations rather than crisis-oriented responsesresponses

Knowledge of workplace hazards and ways Knowledge of workplace hazards and ways to eliminate them can improve your to eliminate them can improve your operations and the management of your operations and the management of your firmfirm

Reduce losses & costsReduce losses & costs

Increase profitability of operationsIncrease profitability of operations

Consultation Will:Consultation Will:

Help you recognize hazards in your workplace Help you recognize hazards in your workplace Suggest general approaches or options for solving a Suggest general approaches or options for solving a safety or health problem safety or health problem Identify kinds of help available if you need further Identify kinds of help available if you need further assistance assistance Provide you a written report summarizing findings Provide you a written report summarizing findings Assist you to develop or maintain an effective safety and Assist you to develop or maintain an effective safety and health program health program Provide training and education for you and your Provide training and education for you and your employees employees Recommend you for a one-year exclusion from OSHA Recommend you for a one-year exclusion from OSHA programmed inspections, once program criteria are met. programmed inspections, once program criteria are met.

Consultation Will Not:Consultation Will Not:

Issue citations or propose penalties for Issue citations or propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards. violations of OSHA standards.

Report possible violations to OSHA Report possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff. enforcement staff.

Guarantee that your workplace will "pass" Guarantee that your workplace will "pass" an OSHA inspection. an OSHA inspection.

Form more info go to www.osha.gov

Did I mention the best part Did I mention the best part about OSHA’s Consultation about OSHA’s Consultation

Service? Service?

It’s… It’s… FREE!!!FREE!!!

Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health (CCOHS)

Established in 1978, CCOHS is a federal departmental corporation which reports to the Canadian Parliament through the federal Minister of Labour. Governed by a Council representing three key stakeholder groups: government (federal, provincial and territorial), employers, and workersMission: To promote health and safety in the workplace in Canada to:

Facilitate Consultation and cooperation among federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions

Participation by labour and management

Assist in the development and maintenance of policies and programs

Serve as a national centre for information relating to occupational health and safety

Canada’s National Occupational Health and Canada’s National Occupational Health and Safety Website (CANOSH)Safety Website (CANOSH)

Site created and maintained by CCOHSSite created and maintained by CCOHS

Designed to provide Canadian employers and Designed to provide Canadian employers and employees with a convenient and efficient way to access employees with a convenient and efficient way to access the health and safety information provided by the federal, the health and safety information provided by the federal, provincial, and territorial government agencies provincial, and territorial government agencies responsible for OSH, Worker’s Compensation Boards responsible for OSH, Worker’s Compensation Boards and the CCOHSand the CCOHS