09/ 08/ 2005
by OSHA SHARP Program
Do you think you are a “SHARP” company? Not just a good company, but a real SHARP company. Learn more about how you can be a SHARP company:
What is SHARP?
The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. It’s one of the highest awards OSHA can give to a company. This program is run by the state’s Safety and Health Consultation Office. Acceptance into SHARP by OSHA is an achievement of status that will single you out among your business peers as a model for worksite safety and health. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, your work site will be exempt from programmed inspections during the period that your SHARP certification is valid. That’s right, no OSHA programmed inspections at your work site. But that’s just the start; there are a host of other benefits for being a SHARP company.
SHARP benefits
- Save your company money by:
- Lowering injury and illness rates
- Decreasing workers’ compensation costs
- Reducing lost workdays
- Limiting equipment damage and product losses and
- This consultation service is free.
- Protect your workers from injury and illness
- Improve employee morale
- Increase productivity rates and assure product quality
How can I participate in SHARP?
To participate in SHARP, you must:
- Request a safety and health consultation visit that involves a complete hazard identification and safety management system surveys
- Involve your employees in the consultation process
- Correct all hazards identified by the consultant
- Implement and maintain a safety and health management system
- Lower your company's "Days Away, Restricted or Transferred" rate and "Total Recordable Case" rate below the national average
SHARP certification and inspection exemption
After you satisfy all SHARP requirements, the consultation project manager in your state will recommend your work site for final SHARP approval and certification. The state and OSHA will formally recognize your worksite at a SHARP awards ceremony.
Not quite ready to be SHARP?
If you meet most but not all of the SHARP eligibility criteria and are committed to working toward full SHARP approval, you may be recommended by your state consultation project manager for a deferral from programmed inspections of up to 18 months.
How do I get started?
All you need to do is to contact your local safety and health consultation office. Remember this consultation service is provided to you at no cost. No matter how you look at it, your participation in the consultation program and eventually SHARP will greatly benefit your business.
So look SHARP and talk to your local safety and health consultation office about a consultation visit and becoming a SHARP company. It’s a true “win-win” opportunity!
