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 500 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 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.

MSHARP Companies