IOMSA Annual Conference Moody Gardens Hotel & Conference Center Galveston, TX June 26, 2017

Objectives Importance of workplace safety and health to your business The OSHA Consultation (OSHCON) Program description Benefits of working with OSHCON Consultation process and employer responsibilities Other safety & health resources Contact information

Importance of Workplace Safety to Your Business Why is Workplace Safety Important? What is the Value?

The Value of PREVENTION saves lives prevents injuries saves you money

Protects Your Biggest Asset Your Employees

Accident Prevention Saves You $$$ Reduce WC costs and medical costs Maintain production schedules Control damage to equipment and materials Reduce liability from litigation Maintain OSHA compliance and avoid fines In addition to protecting your employees welfare an effective accident prevention program will safe you money Reduce workers’ compensation and medical costs Maintain production schedules Control damage to equipment and materials Reduce liability Improve safety and health management systems Manage environmental issues (chemical handling practices, spill prevention and control) Maintain OSHA compliance and avoid fines

Additional Value Reliability, credibility, and trust of your customers and clients Reduce risk, liability, and negative visibility of the organization Cultivate trust and increase morale of employees by your efforts to protect their welfare and well being Reduce employee turnover rate Not uncommon for larger costumers to require vendors and suppliers to have 3 rd. party safety audits as part of their contract No one wants to see their name on the front page of the news Doesn’t everyone want to work for a company who cares about their well being Is it a coincidence my companies that have real good accident prevention programs also have a real low turnover rate.

Sources of Help Vendors Insurance Carriers Private Consultants Peer Industry Organizations University & Other Educational Organizations Some of you may have well established safety and health programs with dedicated staff whiles other may not. But doesn’t matter how established your program is it is always beneficial to have someone from the outside to verify/confirm

Compliance Assistance OSHA helping employers OSHA Website OSHA Call Center OSHA Outreach Activities OSHA Training and Education Centers Consultation Program Part of OSHA’s mission is to provide guidance and assistance to employers. This is accomplished in the following manor

Compliance Assistance OSHA helping employers 21 million visitors to OSHA’s website in FY 2015 251,000 responses to OSHA 1-800 calls for help 21,000 Spanish-speaking callers helped 16,000 e-mail requests for assistance answered 5,000 outreach activities by Regional & Area Offices 27,800 small businesses helped through Consultation Yes, employers really do contact OSHA for assistance.

OSHCON Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program Who we are ….

About OSHCON Free service for small employers (<250 at one site, 500 nationwide) Funded by OSHA as a grant to each state Consultants are from state agencies or universities Separate from Federal OSHA Enforcement, Workers Compensation, or Insurance Carriers Although we will give consideration for assisting larger companies, are resources and priorities are focused on these small employers.

OSHCON’s On-Site Compliance Assistance is: Voluntary Requested by the Employer Confidential No cost to the Employer

OSHCON’s On-Site Compliance Assistance The Employer: determines the scope of the visit comprehensive consultation consultation to address specific issues employer may, at any time during the visit, expand limit terminate the consultation

Your OSHCON Consultant WILL: Help you identify hazards in the workplace Suggest general approaches and options for eliminating hazards and resolving safety issues Help employers understand safety and health regulations and their obligations under such regulations Stay informed of new and emerging OSHA requirements Help develop and maintain successful safety and health programs Identify other safety and health resources available

Your OSHCON Consultant WILL NOT: Issue citations or penalties Report violations to OSHA Release any confidential or trade secret information Release the identity or information associated with compliance assistance to OSHA or outside entity.

So What’s The Catch? Good Faith Efforts by the Employer

Good Faith Efforts by the Employer You will be required to fix any serious hazards identified during the visit by an mutually agreed upon time frame. Because the program is voluntary there is no on-site verification unless you request it. Written notification that hazards are abated is submitted by employer. Failure to act in good faith and correct all serious hazards identified on-site could require the program to turn over the case to enforcement.

SHARP Program Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Exemption from Programmed OSHA Inspections Initial exemption for one year Subsequent renewals for two years (self-audit must be submitted to OSHCON after one year to verify continued eligibility) There is even a OSHA sponsored recognition program for small employers similar to OSHA’s VVP Program For employers with exceptional safety and health management programs there is an OSHA recognition program similar OSHA’s VVP Program except for small employers.

SHARP Criteria Employee 250 or less per worksite and no more than 500 nationwide Be in a high hazard industry as defined by OSHA Receive Comprehensive Safety and Health OSHCON Consultation Correct all identified hazards Institute all elements of an exemplary safety and health program Have DART and TRC below the national industry average

Consultation Process Step 1: Request Step 2: On-site Visit Step 3: Evaluation and Report Step 4: Correction of Serious Hazards Schedule a date Opening & closing conference In those conferences the scope of the visit. your rights and your responsibilities in accepting our services are discussed. In the closing conference the findings and recommendations are discussed along with a time line to abate any serious hazards identified. Report outlining the findings and recommendations ----- visit and any tools and information available to assist employer is provided Employer must respond in writing that hazards have been abated.

How do you contact your OSHA Consultation Service in your State How do you contact your OSHA Consultation Service in your State? I find the easiest way is to go on OSHA’s website under Consultation Program. Highlight the State which the services are being requested and the contact information will appear

For example: Texas Also included is a link to their website

In addition to contact information, additional information regarding the program and it’s resources are typically found on the site.

Texas OSHCON Safety Training Resource Center Free Safety & Health Publications including Spanish Publications Free Downloadable OSHA Sample Written Programs (Word) Free Safety & Health Training DVD/video Loan Program Over 6,000 DVDs/Videos No Charge for Borrowing Simply Pay Return Postage Searchable On-line Catalog For those in Texas these are the types of resources available on our website: Publications include: Short easy to read one page safety tips designed to be used for tool box meeting or pay check fliers Model OSHA required written programs which can be downloaded and edited Detailed publications on Forklift Training, Accident Prevent and Safety Policies, and other subjects

OSHCON as a Resource Safety and health resource center Outreach and training Newsletter with OSHA updates on new regulations Call if you have a safety or health issue you would like to discuss Like your vendors, suppliers, providers, the internet, this network This is a network

Contact Information Glenn Abdelnoor Glenn.Abdelnoor@tdi.texas.gov (800) 252-7031 ext. 36570 www.txoshcon.com