Businesses that take safety seriously may consider pursuing the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP ) through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Being awarded SHARP status demonstrates excellence in safety.

The initiative recognizes employers who have used OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program services and “operate exemplary safety and health programs.”

By reaching SHARP status, an employer is granted an exemption from OSHA-programmed inspections for up to two years.

OSHA also outlines other benefits of the program:

• Protecting workers and developing safe practices and programs
• Lower workers’ compensation premiums
• Improve your worker retention
• Reduce employee days away from work
• Better workplace morale and culture
• Establishing a reputation for leadership and safety

In addition to the federal SHARP, similar programs exist at the state level across the U.S. A few examples of state-led SHARP initiatives include:

Minnesota

To be recognized by MNSHARP , companies must work with state officials to develop and implement a written safety program, which must include:

• Management leadership and employee involvement
• An allocation of resources to address safety issues
• Systems that identify and control workplace hazards
• A plan for employee safety training and education

Incentives for participating include assistance from the Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation unit, public recognition for employers and employees and exemption from Minnesota OSHA Compliance scheduled inspection lists.

Minnesota also has a program specifically geared toward the construction industry .

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin SHARP initiative is run through the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

To achieve SHARP status, a company must:

• Have a history of maintaining an injury and illness rate below the national average for its industry
• Participate in a comprehensive consultation visit for both safety and health
• Participate in a full evaluation of the health and safety management program in place for the company
• Involve employees in the consultation and safety management processes
• Correct all serious, other-than-serious, and regulatory hazards found
• Have all basic elements for managing health and safety in place

Nebraska

In Nebraska, the state’s SHARP requires qualifying employers to go through a comprehensive consultation and review.

Companies must agree to a safety and health survey by state officials, review of an employer’s safety and health program, correct any hazards identified, and more. Once a business is SHARP certified, the benefits include :

• Learning how to maintain a safe and healthy workplace through the development and implementation of proven effective safety and health management systems
• Receiving no-cost consultative assistance and training provided by qualified professionals experienced in helping employers develop safety and health management programs and identify safety and health problem areas
• Meeting program requirements to obtain a certificate of recognition from OSHA and removing the company from OSHA’s routine inspection list for one year

The Nebraska Department of Labor also presents a certificate of recognition and a SHARP program flag from the state’s governor and commissioner of labor.

Conclusion

Safety should be of paramount concern for all employers. And there are benefits to following strong safety procedures.

Check the OSHA SHARP website for more information.