GRASSROOTS Worker Protection - 2003 OSHSPA Report

GRASSROOTS Workplace Protection
2003 OSHSPA Report
State Plan Activities

Occupational Safety & Health
State Plan Association

	Occupational Safety & Health State Plan Association
Chair Douglas J. Kalinowski Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration P.O. Box 30643 Lansing, MI 48909 517.322.1814 Phone 517.322.1775 Fax Vice Chair Stephen Cant Washington Department of Labor and Industries WISHA Services Division P.O. Box 44600 Olympia, WA 98504 360.902.5430 Phone 360.902.5529 Fax Past Chair Peter DeLuca Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services 350 Winter Street, NE Room 430 Salem, OR 97301 503.378.3272 Phone 503.947.7461	August 24, 2004 The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established OSHA at the federal level, and provided that states may elect to run their own occupational safety and health programs as long as those programs are at least as effective as federal OSHA. Under the approval of OSHA, twenty-six states and territories operate State Plans; twenty-two of which cover both private and public sector employment while three states and one territory only cover public sector employment. The Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) is an association comprised of states and U.S. territories that run their own occupational safety and health programs. The OSHSPA State Plan States share the common goal: a safe and healthful workplace for every worker through prevention of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on the job. The states and territories have frequently led the way in developing innovative approaches to making America's workplaces safer and healthier. Through a combination of targeted enforcement and outreach services, State Plan States are helping employers realize that protecting their workers is a sound business decision. In this report, we describe the innovative approaches to creative partnerships, outreach and education, voluntary compliance, inspection targeting, and settlement agreements that have been developed by the states. Two sections have been added in this publication - Emergency Preparedness and Customer Service. They highlight some of the original approaches OSHSPA members are taking to address these important areas. OSHSPA members and federal OSHA will continue to work together to "Make a Difference" in the safety and health for this nation's workers. Sincerely, Douglas J. Kalinowski OSHSPA Chair
Directors Kevin Beauregard North Carolina Richard Palo Connecticut	Vicky Heza California Patricia Todd Minnesota

U.S. Department of Labor

Assistant Secretary for
Occupational Safety and Health
Washington, D.C. 20210

Once again it gives me great pleasure to write the introductory letter to the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association's annual edition of Grassroots Worker Protection. The 2003 report documents the significant contributions made by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's State plan partners to the protection of America's working men and women.

The 26 State plans, which provide occupational safety and health coverage to 40 percent of the nation's workforce, have worked closely with OSHA in pursuing the mutual goals of our strategic management plans of reducing occupational hazards through direct interventions and promoting a safety and health culture through compliance assistance, cooperative programs and strong leadership. Working together since 1971, OSHA and the State programs have helped to decrease injuries and illnesses in the workplace by 40 percent and to cut workplace fatalities by more than 60 percent. In the years to come we fully expect our ongoing Federal-State partnership to achieve even greater results.

One unique aspect of the State safety and health programs is their coverage of public sector employees. Four of the 26 State programs cover only public sector employment; the remaining 22 cover both private and public sector employees. This puts State programs in the forefront of protecting state and local government emergency responders in times of crisis. We are proud of the significant cooperation we have had with our State partners in developing a better understanding of OSHA's role in the nation's emergency preparedness efforts and strategies to deal with potential emergencies as they may arise.

We have tremendous opportunities and a tremendous responsibility. There can be no work more rewarding, no job more fulfilling than helping to protect the lives and well-being of the working men and women who keep our nation strong. I continue to be impressed with the talent and skills we have within the OSHA family. Together, we can and will accomplish our goals on behalf of all workers in America.

John L. Henshaw

Table of Contents: 2003 OSHSPA Report

OSHSPA: States Protecting Workers
Workplace Security: Safeguarding the Workplace
Strategic Plans: Focusing on Performance
Customer Service: Increasing Program Satisfaction
Enforcement: Targeting High-Risk Worksites

Site-Specific Targeting
Settlement Agreements

State Initiatives: Changing the Work Environment

Ergonomics
Workplace Violence
Other Initiatives

State Incentives: Promoting Voluntary Compliance

Voluntary Programs
Partnerships & Alliances
Training & Education Initiatives
Bilingual & Multilingual Communications

State Responsibility: Providing Worker Protections

Safety and Health Programs
Violations Causing Death & Serious Injury

ADDENDUM

State Plan Directory
OSHSPA Board of Directors 2002 - 2003

Produced by:
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MIOSHA)
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth

Michigan State Employees Association - Local 517M SEIU


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