OSHSPA Reports on State Plan Activities > 2005 OSHSPA Report
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GRASSROOTS
Workplace Protection

2005 OSHSPA Report
State-plan activities of the
Occupational Safety and Health
State Plan Association
 
OSHSPA Grassroots Worker Protection



Occupational Safety & Health State Plan Association


May 23, 2006



The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 authorized states to administer their own occupational safety and health programs as long as those programs are at least as effective as federal 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 cover public sector employment only.

The Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) represents all of the states and U.S. territories that run their own occupational safety and health programs. The OSHSPA State Plan States share a common goal: a safe and healthful workplace for every worker through prevention of injuries, illnesses and fatalities on the job.

Collaboration among states, federal OSHA, employers and employees is a key factor in success. The states and territories have often 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. Safe workplaces contribute to the economic vitality of America.

In this report, we describe innovative approaches to outreach and education, voluntary compliance, inspection targeting and cooperative programs that have been developed by the states. All of the statistical data and program-related information is current for the most recent federal fiscal year.

OSHSPA members and federal OSHA will continue to work in partnership for the safety and health of this nation's workers.

Sincerely,



Douglas J. Kalinowski
OSHSPA Chair
Chair

Stephen Cant
Washington
Department of Labor and Industries
WISHA Services Division
P.O. Box 44600
Olympia, WA 98504
360.902.9166 Phone
360.902.5619 Fax

Vice Chair

Vicky Heza
California
Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
2100 E. Katella Ave. Ste.215
Anaheim, CA 92806
714.939.8093 Phone

Past 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

Directors

Kevin Beauregard
North Carolina

Grey Mitchell
Alaska

John Winkler
Tennessee

Jay Withrow
Virginia

 
U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for
Occupational Safety and Health
Washington, D.C. 20210		 DOL seal
It gives me great pleasure to write the introductory letter to the Occupational Safety and Heath State Plan Association's 2005 edition of Grassroots Workplace Protection. This year's report documents the significant contributions made by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 26 State plan partners to the protection of America's working men and women.

Thirty-five years ago, OSHA was established in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Since then, workplace fatalities have been reduced by 60 percent and injury/illness rates are down 40 percent. Yet last year, more than 5,000 people died on the job, and workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities cost the country more than $170 billion per year. OSHA and its State partners have accomplished much, but clearly have much to do.

Together, OSHA and the States are finding new ways to communicate to employers that investing in safety and health not only saves lives, but has positive economic value. Companies that implement comprehensive safety and health programs reduce their injury and illness rates an average of 20 percent. Fewer injuries and illnesses mean lower workers' compensation costs, less lost work time and greater productivity. Companies are more profitable, and more lives are saved.

The State plans have worked closely with OSHA over the years. I am impressed with the talent, ideas and professionalism of our State plan partners, and their innovative approaches. Together, we have a new opportunity to commit ourselves to conduct inspections and consultations with a high and consistent quality. The result is a uniform message to employers and employees: employers and responsible for the safety and health of their employees, and OSHA - Federal or State plan - is there to enforce and to assist with compliance.

Together, we can and will continue to get the message out that it pays to invest in safety and health - and more loved ones will come home from work safe and whole at the end of the day



Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.



Table of Contents: 2005 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
    Safety and health programs
    Site-specific targeting

State responsibility: Enhanced enforcement
    Significant cases
    Settlement agreements
    Violation approach in cases involving death or serious injury

State initiatives: changing the work environment
    An open forum about initiatives, including:
    ergonomics, workplace violence, settlement agreements,
    discrimination, multilingual communications, legislative issues, etc.

State innovations: technical advances
State incentives: promoting voluntary compliance
    Voluntary protection programs
    Partnerships and alliances
    Training and education initiatives

State-plan directory
OSHSPA Board of Directors 2004 through 2005


Minnestota Department of Labor and Industry

Produced by:
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Occupational Safety and Health Division
Total copies printed: 1,500 Total cost: $?? Cost per copy: $??