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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2006
Missouri’s Small Business Safety Consultation Program Exceeds Federal Performance Standards
Jefferson City, MO - The Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program recently received notification that they continue to exceed performance standards established by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Missouri’s performance for the last quarter exceeded or tied that of other Region VII Programs. Region VII consists of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.
“This achievement reflects the Department’s dedication to safe and healthy workplaces in Missouri,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “This Missouri program is a great resource to all the small businesses in our state.”
Missouri’s On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program works with Missouri employers with 250 employees or less. The program helps provide safe and healthy workplaces for employees by helping the employer locate and remove existing hazards in the facility, thereby reducing injuries and illnesses. Safer workplace practices also can lead to lower worker's compensation insurance costs and can help improve attendance, productivity and morale.
“The program has conducted nearly 8,000 business consultations resulting in over 62,000 workplace hazards identified and corrected over the last 20 years,” said Robert Simmons, program manager of the Missouri On-Site Consultation Program.
Upon request from an employer, trained industrial hygienists and safety consultants visit the workplace, inform and educate the employer on problems found and make recommendations for elimination of those hazards. This service, including any necessary chemical or noise sampling is free to small Missouri employers who request it.
An on-site consultation may include, but is not limited to the following:
- Review of an employer's written standard safety and health programs
- Review of an employer's written safety and health management program
- Review of an employer's OSHA 200 and 300 logs for injury and illness trends
- Evaluation of engineering controls as necessary
- Exposure monitoring for such things as fumes, dusts, mists, vapors, noise and other potential hazards
- Identification of hazards in the workplace and a timetable to eliminate those hazards
The Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program can be contacted to schedule a free consultation visit at (573) 751-3403, or visit their website at www.dolir.mo.gov/ls/safetyconsultation/.
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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)