Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MSHARP)

MSHARP is a cooperative program between business and government that recognizes Michigan employers and employees committed to creating a workplace culture that makes safety their top priority. MSHARP provides an incentive to employers to emphasize accident and illness prevention by anticipating problems, not reacting to them.

The Onsite Consultation Program within the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division operates MSHARP. Onsite consultants will help employers identify the strengths and weaknesses of their occupational safety and health management system. Employers electing to pursue MSHARP must be committed to developing a safety and health management system that involves employees in significant ways.

Many people are familiar with another MIOSHA recognition program called the Michigan Voluntary Protection Programs (MVPP). Only the best-of-the-best can qualify for the MVPP Star award. The newly developed MSHARP guidelines are similar to MVPP, but the goals are more achievable for companies with moderately effective safety and health programs. This new program can be used as a bridge for companies to transform their effective safety and health programs into exemplary programs and may be viewed as a stepping-stone for entry into the MVPP.

Eligibility

• Designed to assist the small employer, eligibility is limited to employers having less than 250 employees at the worksite.
• 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

Aria Energy (Pine Tree Acres Facility)
36450 29 Mile Road
Lenox, MI 48048
MSHARP Award: February 20, 2015 Press Release
Recertification: August 22, 2017 Press Release
Recertification: August 28, 2019

Astech Alloy Steel Technologies Incorporated
5512 Scotch Road
Vassar, MI 48768
MSHARP Award: May 18, 2015
Recertification: November 29, 2017 Press Release