MNSTAR self-assessment -- for your use only

The items below will help you determine your eligibility for the MNSTAR program. Check each item you currently have or are willing to implement.

Contact MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation to request a full-service safety and health consultation by email at osha.consultation@state.mn.us or by phone at (651) 284-5060 ir 1-800-657-3776. When your consultation visit is closed, submit your written application to:  MNOSHA MNSTAR team, Workplace Safety Consultation, 443 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155.

Rates

• Annual calendar-year total recordable and lost-workday case rate records and employment statistics.



• General industry:  At or below the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and state and national average injury/illness incidence and lost-workday case rates for regular worksite employees and for contractors' employees who work 1,000 or more hours at your worksite in any one quarter (or a plan to reduce rates below the industry averages)



• Total recordable case rates are calculated (N/EH) x 200,000 where:
  
  
  • N = number of recordable injuries and illnesses in one year.
  
  
  
  • EH = total number of hours worked by all employees in one year.
  
  
  
  • 200,000 = equivalent of 100 full-time workers working 40-hour weeks a year.

  Lost-workday case rates are calculated with the same equation where:

  • N = number of injuries/illnesses resulting in lost workdays or restricted work activity.
  
  
  
  • Remember to count injuries and illnesses.
  
  
  
• Construction only:  Combined injury and lost-workday case rates for all workers at your site, whether or not they are your employees.

Management leadership and employee involvement

• A managerial commitment to worker safety and health protection



• Personal involvement of top management



• Safety and health concerns integrated into your overall planning cycle



• Safety and health protection managed in the same way as your productivity and quality are managed



• A written safety and health program appropriate for the size of your site and your industry that addresses all the elements in this checklist



• A results-oriented safety and health policy



• Clearly assigned safety and health responsibilities with documentation of accountability from top management to line supervisors



• Adequate authority given to carry out assigned responsibilities



• Necessary resources to meet responsibilities



• Quality protection for all contract employees equal to that provided for your own employees



• Employee involvement in activities that have a major effect on your safety and health program



• Annual safety and health program evaluations with written narrative reports, recommendations for program changes, action plans and verification procedures



• Joint safety and health committee

Worksite analysis

• A method such as comprehensive safety and industrial hygiene surveys to identify existing or potential hazards in your workplace



• A pre-use analysis procedure for new processes, materials or equipment to determine potential hazards



• Routine industrial hygiene monitoring of toxic substances and noise



• Monthly self-inspections (weekly for construction) with written documentation and hazard correction tracking



• Routine hazard analysis procedures such as JHAs, JSAs, BJAs or PHAs that result in improved work practices and/or training for employees



• A written hazard reporting system enabling employees to submit their observations or concerns to management without fear of reprisal



• Accident investigations with written documentation



• Method of documenting all identified hazards until they are controlled or eliminated



• Analysis of trends in injury/illness experience and in hazards found, to identify patterns of problems and to implement program adjustments

Hazard prevention and control

• Access to certified safety and health professionals



• Engineering and administrative controls adequate for the hazards at the worksite



• Written safety rules and practices that are understood and followed by all employees



• A consistent disciplinary system applied to all employees (including supervisors and managers) who disregard the rules



• Written rules for use and maintenance of personal protective equipment



• Written plans to cover emergency situations



• Hazard correction tracking procedure



• On-site or nearby medical and emergency services



• Personnel trained in first aid and CPR available on-site during all shifts



• Use of occupational health professionals in hazard analysis as appropriate



• Documented ongoing monitoring and maintenance of workplace equipment

Safety and health training

• Manager, supervisor and employee training with emphasis on safety and health responsibilities



• Training about the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment



• Emergency preparedness drills, including annual evacuations



• Documentation of all training received, including assessment procedures

Review

• Your written safety and health programs and all documentation relating to the programs must be available for MNOSHA review (see VPP Federal Register Notice, July 24, 2000).

Concurrence

• Formal signed statements from any collective bargaining agents indicating support of your application to MNSTAR



• Where no collective bargaining agent is authorized, employees understand MNSTAR and raise no serious objections