Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
An AKOSH Cooperative Program
Promoting Safe and Healthful Jobs For Alaskans
Benefits:
- Recognition as a model for worksite safety and health. The SHARP program recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. Acceptance into SHARP by AKOSH is an achievement that will single you out among your business peers as a model for worksite safety and health.
- Reduce accidents and related costs
- Increase productivity with less down-time & improved employee morale.
- Exemption from programmed enforcement inspections. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, your worksite will be exempt from programmed enforcement inspections during the period that your SHARP certification is valid.
To participate in SHARP, employers must:
- Request a cost-free consultation visit from AKOSH that involves a comprehensive safety and health assessment (1-800-656-4972.);
- Occupational Safety and health consultants will review your operation and provide guidance, to help you meet the required standards.
- Involve employees in the consultation process;
- Correct all hazards identified by both consultants within the required time period;
- Implement and maintain a safety and health management system that meets or exceeds OSHA's 1989 Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines;
- Lower your company's Lost-Workday Injury and Illness rate (LWDII) and Total Recordable Case Rate (TRCR) below the national average; and
- Agree to notify the AKOSH Consultation and Training Section prior to making any changes in the working conditions or introducing new hazards into the workplace.
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.
SHARP Certification and Inspection Exemption
After you satisfy all SHARP requirements, the AKOSH SHARP Project Manager will recommend your worksite for SHARP approval. The Commissioner of Labor makes the final SHARP approval. If approved, the State will formally recognize your worksite at a SHARP awards ceremony.
As a SHARP site, you will be granted a 2-year exemption from AKOSH's scheduled enforcement inspections for the first year of your SHARP participation. After two years of certification, you may request renewal for up to 3 years, provided that you:
- Apply for renewal during the last 180 days 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 2 or 3 year renewal, to conduct an interim-year self-evaluation and to submit a written report to the AKOSH SHARP Program Manager that is based on the elements of the 1989 Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (available online at http://www.osha.gov) and includes OSHA's required injury and illness logs.
How do I get involved?
For more information, contact AKOSH:
Michael Flint
Safety Consultant / SHARP Coordinator
Alaska Occupational Safety and Health
Consultation and Training
1251 Muldoon Road, Suite 109
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Phone: (907) 269-4935
Fax: (907) 269-3723
Email AKOSH at: michael.flint@alaska.gov
