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Onsite Consultation
Safe State provides a variety of consultation
services. The employer may request a full service visit or limit the
request to a specific problem. Full service visits include a review
of applicable records, a walk through the entire facility to evaluate
potential or exisiting hazards, and an evaluation of the company safety
and health program management system. The visit may last several hours
to several days (multiple visits) depending on the work to be done.
Safe State consultants are highly trained professionals capable of
evaluating safety and health issues within Alabama industries. Our
safety consultants have extensive experience in identifying physical
hazards and providing cost effective suggestions for correction. Our
industrial hygienists are able to perform air monitoring for most
any air contaminate as well as suggest appropriate control solutions.
The Consultation Procedure
1. An opening conference is held to present consultant's credentials,
describe the procedure, determine the scope of the visit, and explain
the employer's obligations under the Occupational Safety & Health
Act.
2. During a tour of your facility, production processes and facilities
are assessed by occupational health and safety personnel. Potential
and observed hazards may be identified.
3. Health and safety conditions present in the workplace are evaluated
by use of appropriate monitoring methods and testing instruments.
4. A brief closing conference is held to review the observed safety
and health hazards and to suggest corrective measures and improvement
where necessary in the employer's safety and health programs.
5. The consultant prepares a technical report that evaluates the site
and safety and health management plan, describes any observed hazards,
referencing applicable standards and makes recommendations for correction
and/or control measures.
Onsite visits may be categorized as:
Voluntary Compliance
An employer may call to request assistance with safety and health
issues within their facility. Consultants may perform hazard indentification
surveys during a walk through, noise or air sampling of personnel,
review of OSHA mandated written programs and records, assessment of
the company's safety and health program management system, provide
incidental training to workers/supervisors/managers or activities.
Technical Abatement and Assistance
An employer may request limited assistance in correcting a hazard previously cited by OSHA during an enforcement inspection. The assistance may include evaluation of an existing or newly installed control, or providing suggestions for feasible solutions to controlling the hazard and continued prevention of employee exposure.
Safety & Health Program Management System Assessment
Consultants may evaluate the effectiveness of a company's Safety and
Health program management system. Using a validated assessment tool,
seven major elements are reviewed:
- Hazard Anticipation & Detection
- Hazard Prevention & Control
- Planning & Evaluation
- Administration & Supervision
- Safety & Health Training
- Management Leadership
- Employee Participation
An effective safety and health program management system is an asset
to your company. It will reduce the number of accidents by reducing
the risk of illnesses and injuries to employees, reduce the recurrence
of identified hazards, and change the culture of the workplace to
work safe and smart.
Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
Employers who have implemented an effective safety and health program, have corrected all hazards identified during an onsite consultation visit, have a lost workday incidence rate lower than their industry's national average, and have in place a mechanism to prevent recurrence may be, upon their request, nominated for SHARP by the director of Safe State. The director then submits the request, along with his recommendation, to OSHA's Region IV Office. Upon approval, the applicant is awarded a SHARP certificate and banner recognizing the company's exemplary safety and health program achievement. The company is then removed from OSHA's general scheduled inspection list for one year.
SHARP is renewable each year if all conditions of the program continue to be met. |
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