Blog Post  Helping Businesses Protect Workers

Did you know? The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) offers free on-site safety and health consultations to help businesses recognize and control potential safety and health hazards. The program is called OSHA On-Site Consultation Program. 

Consultations are at no cost and confidential. 

The consultation program is free, confidential, voluntary, and separate from OSHA enforcement. How it works: 1) An employer requests a consultation visit by emailing DLSfeedback@state.ma.us and determines the scope of the visit 2) A certified OSHA Consultant from DLS conducts a walkthrough of the workplace and identifies hazards in the workplace 3) After, the employer agrees to correct any serious and imminent danger hazards identified during the visit promptly. Employers are granted a deferral from OSHA-programmed enforcement inspections while working with an On-Site Consultation program. 

Consultants perform safety and health evaluations at your worksite.

Annually, consultants across the U.S. conduct more than 20,000 visits at worksites nationwide. Every year, more than two million workers are removed from hazards after employers take corrective actions identified during consultation visits. 

Participating in the consultation program can result in enhanced worker morale, and reduce injury/illness rates, lost workdays, workers’ compensation costs, equipment damage, and product losses. Read Benefits of the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program, An Economic Analysis (August 1, 2018) for more information.

SHARP recognizes small businesses with exemplary safety and health programs.

A small business employer may receive an additional benefit from the On-Site Consultation Program – recognition by OSHA and the consultation program through participation in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). SHARP recognizes business as a model for workplace safety and health. Award recipients become exempted from programmed inspections during their SHARP designation period. 

“The consultative services help us be aware of some issues which you aren't keenly aware of when you get so wrapped up in trying to move your business forward. Besides the issues found, the consultant shared many other ideas and also brought many brochures to help keep our employees and company safer.” - A Small Massachusetts Employer

Small business employers in Massachusetts wanting to participate in the free consultation program should call the Department of Labor Standards (508) 616-0461 (Option 2) or click here.  

For more information, read the Consultation brochure.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) On-Site Consultation Program offers occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. Highly trained safety and occupational health professionals from On-Site Consultation programs established within state agencies or universities work with employers to identify and fix safety and health hazards in workplaces, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, train and educate workers, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs.