Free On-Site Safety and Health Services for Small Business Do you worry that a serious workplace injury could disrupt or even shut down your business? Can’t afford to hire a safety consultant?
If so, USF SafetyFlorida’s FREE and CONFIDENTIAL On-site Safety and Health Consultation may be perfect for you!
On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do
When you think about requesting a consultation, also think “SHARP”… and ask your USF SafetyFlorida consultant about it.
USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program
not result in penalties or citations.
At your request, a consultant from USF SafetyFlorida will visit your workplace to help you identify hazards and make recommendations on possible solutions.
“Protecting workers and helping employers profit from a safer workplace.”
USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program 13201 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 www.safetyflorida.usf.edu 1-866-273-1105
A U.S. Department of Labor Cooperative Program for Florida Small
Business
How You Can Participate in SHARP To participate in SHARP, you must: Request a comprehensive consultation visit that involves a complete hazard identification survey Involve employees in the consultation process Correct all hazards identified by the consultant Implement and maintain an effective safety and health program Agree to call and notify USF SafetyFlorida prior to making any changes in the working conditions or introducing new hazards into the workplace Have fewer than 250 employees on-site and fewer than 500 employees corporatewide
Another path toward SHARP participation: Pre-SHARP
What is SHARP?
T
he Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small employers who operate an
exemplary safety and health program. Acceptance into SHARP by OSHA is an achievement of status that will single you out among your business peers as a model for your
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 USF SafetyFlorida for an inspection deferral of up to 18 months if: You have had a full service comprehensive consultation visit at your worksite and you have corrected all hazards identified by the consultant You are in the process of implementing an effective safety and health program You can meet all the SHARP requirements during the deferral period, not to exceed a total of 18 months
SHARP Certification and Inspection Exemption After you satisfy all SHARP requirements, USF SafetyFlorida may recommend your worksite for final SHARP approval and certification. As a certified SHARP site, you will be granted a deferral from OSHA programmed inspections for up to 2 years. After your initial certification, you may request SHARP renewal for up to 3 years, provided that you: Apply for renewal during the last quarter of the deferral period Allow a full service comprehensive visit to ensure that your exemplary safety and health program has been effectively maintained or improved Continue to meet all SHARP eligibility criteria and program requirements If requesting a 2 or 3 year renewal, conduct and submit an Interim Year SHARP Site Self-Evaluation to USF SafetyFlorida that is based on OSHA’s recommended practices for safety and health programs (available online at www.osha.gov) and includes your worksite's injury and illness logs that are required by OSHA to be maintained.
worksite safety and health and will reap rewards for your business. Upon receiving
The overall goal for all safety and health programs (sometimes referred to as safety
SHARP recognition, your worksite will be
and health management systems) in the workplace is to reduce injuries and illnesses.
deferred from OSHA programmed inspec-
The effective implementation of these programs usually result in greater productivity,
tions during the period that your SHARP certification is valid.
improved morale, increased safety awareness, reduction of injuries and the cost of workers compensation all of which contribute to increased growth for the company.