MSHARP is a cooperative program between business and government that recognizes Michigan employers and employees committed to creating a workplace culture that makes safety their top priority. MSHARP provides an incentive to employers to emphasize accident and illness prevention by anticipating problems, not reacting to them.

The Onsite Consultation Program within the Consultation Education & Training (CET) Division operates MSHARP. Onsite consultants will help employers identify the strengths and weaknesses of their occupational safety and health management system. Employers electing to pursue MSHARP must be committed to developing a safety and health management system that involves employees in significant ways.

Many people are familiar with another MIOSHA recognition program called the Michigan Voluntary Protection Programs (MVPP). Only the best-of-the-best can qualify for the MVPP Star award. The newly developed MSHARP guidelines are similar to MVPP, but the goals are more achievable for companies with moderately effective safety and health programs. This new program can be used as a bridge for companies to transform their effective safety and health programs into exemplary programs and may be viewed as a stepping-stone for entry into the MVPP.

Eligibility

• Designed to assist the small employer, eligibility is limited to employers having less than 250 employees at the worksite.
• A priority will be given to companies on the MIOSHA list of high-hazard industries, or who are a part of Michigan's Strategic Plan focus. This gives greatest attention to industries with a previous history of elevated lost-time injuries. These characteristics allow the MIOSHA program to target resources where they are most needed.
• The company must have injury and illness rates below the Michigan average in their North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code over the last year.
• The company must be a single, fixed worksite.

Recognition Requirements

• Allow a comprehensive safety and health survey of the worksite.
• Work with MIOSHA onsite consultants to correct any hazards identified in the survey.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive safety and health management system.
• Involve employees in the development, implementation and operation of their safety and health program.
• Maintain their injury and illness rates below the Michigan average in their industry.
• Achieve a score of two out of a possible three on the required MIOSHA Safety and Health Program Assessment Tool, Form 33.
• Inform MIOSHA prior to making significant work process changes that might introduce new hazards into the workplace.
• Conduct annual self-evaluations and submit the MIOSHA 300 log for review.

MSHARP is a process designed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an employer's occupational safety and health management system. The process starts with a request from the employer and completion of the application process. The application initiates a comprehensive consultation including an initial assessment, followed by a report with recommendations.

The process includes one or more action plan meetings between the employer and the onsite consultant to identify and begin implementation of objectives designed to meet the goal of achieving MSHARP certification. MIOSHA onsite consultants will continue to coach applicant companies as long as there is commitment to correcting hazards and improving the safety and health program.

When all requirements have been satisfied, the company will be issued an MSHARP Certificate of Achievement, as well as a 12-month exemption from MIOSHA programmed inspections. Other types of inspections, such as those based on formal employee complaints, imminent danger, referrals, fatality investigations, etc. are not preempted by participation in MSHARP.

MSHARP recognition is granted in 12-month increments. To continue in the program, employers must apply for renewal to the CET Onsite Consultation Program. Because the employer should be making progress toward self sufficiency, it is expected that the employer will take more of the responsibility for activities associated with their continued improvement and MIOSHA's involvement will be limited.

Aleris Specification Alloys, Inc.
Coldwater North Plant
430 W. Garfield Avenue
Coldwater, MI 49036
MSHARP Award: December 13, 2004
Press Release
Recertification: May 20, 2007
Recertification: January 25, 2011

Steel Industries, Inc. - PLANT 1
Forging, Ring Rolling, and Heat Treating
12600 Beech Daly Road
Redford Township, MI 48239-2455
MSHARP Award: November 1, 2005
Press Release
Recertification: August 2, 2007
Recertification: June 17, 2010

Alco Tec Wire Corporation
2750 Aero Park Drive
Traverse City, MI 49686
MSHARP Award: September 5, 2006 Press Release
Recertification: June 3, 2008
Recertification: March 17, 2011

Steel Industries Inc. - PLANT 2
Forging, Ring Rolling, and Heat Treating
12607 Beech Daly Road
Redford Township, MI 48239
MSHARP Award: August 16, 2007
Recertification: September 1, 2010

Steel Industries Inc. - PLANT 4
Machine Shop
26555 Fullerton Street
Redford Township, MI 48239
MSHARP Award: September 7, 2007
Recertification: March 18, 2010

FIAMM Technologies, Inc.
1550 Leeson
Cadillac, MI 49601
MSHARP Award: February 13, 2008
Recertification: December 10, 2010

Quality Aluminum Products, Inc.
429 South Michigan Avenue
Hastings, MI 49058
MSHARP Award: February 13, 2008
Recertification: June 23, 2011

Arnold Center Incorporated
490 Industrial Drive
Gladwin, MI
MSHARP Award: May 14, 2009

Steel Industries Inc. - PLANT 3
Heat Treating Complex
12600 Norborne
Redford Township, MI 48239
MSHARP Award: June 11, 2010

IHC, Inc.
12400 Burt Road
Detroit, MI 48228
MSHARP Award: September 22, 2011