Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MSHARP)

Eligibility

• Designed to assist the small employer, eligibility is limited to employers having less than 250 employees at the worksite and fewer than 1000 employees in the company total (across all sites).
• A priority will be given to companies on the MIOSHA list of high-hazard industries, or who are a part of MIOSHA's Strategic Plan focus. This gives the 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 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) rates listed for their North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code over the last complete calendar year.
• The company must be a single, fixed worksite.

Recognition Requirements

• Allow comprehensive safety and health survey of the worksite.
• Work with MIOSHA On-Site 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 two hazard surveys (one safety and one health). This comprehensive initial assessment is followed by a report with recommendations.

The process includes one or more action plan meetings between the employer and the On-Site consultants to identify and begin implementation of objectives designed to meet the goal of achieving MSHARP certification. MIOSHA On-Site 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 an up to 24-month exemption from MIOSHA programmed inspections. After the initial approval, MSHARP renewals can be granted for an additional three years. 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 Companies