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Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). An OSHA Cooperative Program

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. Acceptance into SHARP by OSHA is an achievement of status that will single you out among your business peers as a model for worksite safety and health. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, your worksite will be exempt from programmed inspections during the period that your SHARP certification is valid.

How You Can Participate In SHARP

To participate in SHARP, you must:

  • Request a consultation visit that involves a complete hazard identification survey;
  • Involve employees in the consultation process;
  • Correct all hazards identified by the consultant;
  • Implement and maintain a safety and health management system that, at a minimum, addresses OSHA's 1989 Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines;
  • Lower your company's Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate and Total Recordable Case (TRC) rate below the national average; and
  • Agree to notify your state Consultation Project Office prior to making any changes in the working conditions or introducing new hazards into the workplace.
SHARP Certification and Inspection Exemption

After you satisfy all SHARP requirements, the Consultation Project Manager in your state may recommend your worksite for final SHARP approval and certification. The state and OSHA will formally recognize your worksite at a SHARP awards ceremony.

When you are initially certified as a SHARP site, you will be granted an exemption up to 2 years. After your initial certification, you may request SHARP renewal for up to 3 years, provided that you:
  • Apply for renewal during the last quarter of the exemption period;
  • Allow a full service comprehensive visit to ensure that your exemplary safety and health management system has been effectively maintained or improved;
  • Continue to meet all eligibility criteria and program requirements; and
  • Agree, if requesting a multiple year renewal 2 or 3 years, to conduct annual self-evaluations and to submit a written report to your state Consultation Program Manager that is based on the elements of the 1989 Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines and includes OSHA's required injury and illness logs.
Not Quite Ready for SHARP?

If you meet most but not all of the SHARP eligibility criteria and are committed to working toward full SHARP approval, you may be recommended by your state Consultation Project Manager for an inspection deferral of up to 18 months if:
  • You have had a complete hazard identification consultation visit at your worksite and you have corrected all hazards;
  • You are in the process of implementing an effective safety and health management system; and
  • You can meet all SHARP requirements during the deferral period.

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Page last updated: 04/09/2009