A safe work environment is important to everyone and will save you money and improves staff morale and productivity. Below are two agencies that can provide you with the help you need.
1) OSHA, the Occupational Safety Health Administration, is a federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety. For small business owners, OSHA offers a free consultation service that includes help in identifying workplace hazards and establishing or improving safety systems companywide. It also offers many services designed to help small businesses cope with OSHA rules and regulations. OSHA also offers partial exemptions for employers with 10 or fewer employees.
OSHA also provides other services and assistance to help small businesses. These include:
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Grants:
OSHA gives training and education grants to various non-profit groups to develop programs to help small businesses establish safety and health programs.
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Mentoring:
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) recognize worksites where employers and employees work together to achieve safety and health excellence. Small firms can be matched with and mentored by a VPP site that will share its safety and health experience and expertise. For more information on VPP, contact your VPP coordinator in your nearest OSHA regional office.
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Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP):
Part of the Consultation Program, SHARP also recognizes exemplary employers who take special pride in providing a safe and healthful work environment for their employees and who meet specific program criteria. Employers who qualify receive a 1-year exemption from OSHA's general schedule inspections.
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Training and Education:
OSHA's Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, and OSHA's Training Education Centers provide basic and advanced courses in safety and health. OSHA's area offices offer information services, such as audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers for special engagements. For more information, contact the Institute at 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 297-4810, or fax (847) 297-4874. A list of courses also can be found under Programs and Services on OSHA's Web site at
http://www.osha.gov/
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2) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. Here are some of the services they provide:
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The field staff and headquarters compliance staff answer questions about CPSC jurisdiction, laws, and reporting requirements.
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A small business ombudsman provides compliance answers as well as technical assistance in resolving problems.
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CPSC publications explain laws and regulations, and contain safety information on consumer products or hazards.
Learn more about CPSC services and product recalls by visiting the CPSC web site at www.cpsc.gov or by calling the CPSC hotline 800-638-2772. Bilingual staff is available.
