Yesterday, we highlighted OSHA’s 2010 Top 10 list. Today, we talk about OSHA cooperative programs, which can help you avoid citations and penalties as well as achieve other important benefits.
On the flip side of OSHA’s Top 10 and other enforcement actions there’s a whole different world of regulatory compliance—the carrot rather than the stick.
We’re talking, of course, about OSHA’s cooperative programs such as the:
- Alliance Program
- Challenge Program
- Strategic Partnership Program
- Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
- Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
Today, we’ll give you a quick overview of SHARP, a program designed for small businesses.
By achieving SHARP status, OSHA says “you place yourself in an elite group of small businesses that maintain exemplary safety and health management systems.”
In addition to being granted an exemption from OSHA programmed inspections for up to 2 years, and subsequent renewal for up to 3 years, OSHA cites many other benefits of participation in cooperative programs like SHARP.
Protection
Through membership in an OSHA program, you can:
- Protect workers from all safety and health hazards that may exist at your workplace
- Work with OSHA to identify and implement best practices to protect your workers
- Develop an innovative safety and health management system for your business that will protect your workers
Don’t make the same safety mistakes over and over again. Instead, start 2011 off right with a webinar review of the most recent OSHA Top 10 list and—more importantly—practical tips for staying off it in 2011. Click here for details.
Culture
You can also develop a positive safety culture that:
- Creates a better working environment free of safety and health hazards
- Boosts worker morale by involving workers in creating a culture that emphasizes a safe and healthful workplace
- Improves communication among workers and management
- Encourages safety in the community as workers transfer safe and healthy work practices outside of the workplace
Reputation
Furthermore, participation in OSHA cooperative programs like SHARP help you:
- Receive official recognition from OSHA for your achievement and for maintaining an exemplary safety and health management system
- Become a leader in your industry by providing a safe and healthy workplace for workers
- Attract skillful workers looking to join a business that is at the forefront of its industry in providing a safe and healthy workplace for its workers
Savings
Last, but by no means least, you can:
- Lower worker compensation insurance premiums
- Improve your worker retention and reduce costly turnover
- Reduce lost workdays due to injuries and illness, allowing you to keep operations and production running smoothly
For more information about SHARP and other OSHA cooperative programs, click here, or contact the OSHA Office of Partnerships and Recognition at (202) 693-2213.
Join us on February 25 for an in-depth 90-minute interactive webinar on staying ahead of OSHA enforcement actions and staying off OSHA’s Top 10 list. Learn More.
Don’t Fall into the Trap
Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
A good illustration of this is the fact that OSHA’s annual “Top 10” list changes little from year to year—with minor exceptions—and yet employers and workers are making the same safety mistakes over and over again.
Don’t let your workplace fall into this trap. Instead, start 2011 off right with a webinar review of the most recent OSHA Top 10 list and hear practical tips for staying off it in 2011. Be sure to join us on February 25.
You and your colleagues will learn:
- The Top 10 standards violated during 2010
- How the Top 10 list interfaces with the Severe Violators Enforcement Program and the National Emphasis Program
- Common pitfalls to watch out for when conducting in-house audits
- Strategies for training front-line supervisors and managers on safety conditions and employee practices
- How to stay ahead of OSHA enforcement actions
- What to do—and what not to do—if OSHA stops by your workplace for a surprise visit
- The latest on DOL’s Plan/Prevent/Protect (P3) initiative
About your Speaker:
Adele Abrams, Esq. is an attorney and safety professional who represents employers and contractors nationwide in OSHA and MSHA litigation and workers’ compensation cases. She also provides safety and health training and consultation services. In addition to her legal and mediation practice, Adele regularly presents seminars for the national and state trade groups, safety organizations, and private companies. Register Now.
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