MNSTAR Program

MNSTAR is a Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) program that recognizes companies where managers and employees work together to develop safety and health management systems that go beyond basic compliance with all applicable OSHA standards and result in immediate and long-term prevention of job-related injuries and illnesses. Key elements of this comprehensive program include:  management leadership and employee involvement; an allocation of resources to address safety issues; systems that identify and control workplace hazards; and a plan for employee safety training and education.

MNSTAR, which began in Minnesota in January 1999, is modeled after the federal OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), which began in 1982. There are currently more than 2,000 companies nationwide that have met the program requirements.

For information about the federal OSHA VPP, view Voluntary Protection Programs:  policies and procedures manual, OSHA directive CSP 03-01-003, effective April 18, 2008.