Overview of MNSTAR program

What is MNSTAR?

• View/print the MNSTAR Program booklet

The Minnesota STAR (MNSTAR) program is designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health program management. In the MNSTAR program, management, labor and MNOSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented strong safety and health programs.

• Management commits to operate an effective program that meets an established set of criteria.



• Employees commit to participate in the program and work with management to ensure a safe and healthful workplace.



• The employer requests a full-service safety and health visit from Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation and fully participates prior to submitting an application to the MNSTAR program.



• The MNOSHA MNSTAR team evaluates the application and conducts an on-site review to determine whether an applicant meets the requirements for the MNSTAR Merit or full MNSTAR program. The Department of Labor and Industry then publicly recognizes the site's exemplary safety and health program.



• MNOSHA also evaluates the site to confirm it is continuing to meet MNSTAR requirements (every three to five years for the "Star" level).



• MNOSHA will investigate complaints, significant chemical leaks or spills, fatalities and catastrophes, and may investigate significant accidents and incidents throughout the MNSTAR process.

The MNSTAR concept recognizes the objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Act can never be fully achieved by enforcement alone. Safety and health management programs that go beyond OSHA standards can protect workers more effectively.

MNSTAR participants are a select group of facilities that have designed and implemented outstanding safety and health programs. Star-level participants meet all MNSTAR requirements.

What are the benefits?

The following benefits have been cited by current Star-level participants:

• Improved employee motivation to work safely, leading to better quality and productivity



• Lost-workday case rates are generally 60 to 80 percent below the average for the industry



• Reduced workers' compensation and other injury and illness-related costs



• Positive community recognition and interaction



• Further improvement of already good programs through the internal and external reviews that are part of the application process and through annual evaluation of their programs



• Partnership with MNOSHA



• Improved employee morale and productivity

Won't this just make me do a lot of paperwork without making my program better?

The MNSTAR application process is designed to identify worksites with exemplary safety and health programs. MNSTAR reviewers do not look for a single correct way to meet MNSTAR requirements; they want to see a system that works for you. Some successful programs involve substantial written documentation, while others do not. Small businesses may obtain waivers from certain written documentation requirements.

There is some paperwork required in the application process, but we encourage you to use as much existing material as possible. Most worksites have found the application process improves their program by creating a more comprehensive understanding of interrelationships among all program elements.

Will my program qualify?

Going through the process of the full-service safety and health consultation visit can serve as a prescreening tool to determine whether your company has a good chance of becoming eligible for MNSTAR recognition.

Also, the self-assessment checklist is designed for companies to use to determine whether they meet certain MNSTAR criteria before completing the extensive application packet.

How do I join?

To get started, an employer must first request a full-service safety and health consultation visit, by contacting MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation by email at osha.consultation@state.mn.us or by phone at (651) 284-5060 or 1-800-657-3776.

Upon completion or closing of the Workplace Safety Consultation visit, proceed with completing the MNSTAR written application. Application guidelines and instructions are accessible using the navigation bar to the upper left on these pages.

Submit your completed application to the MNSTAR team, using the address below. After your application has been reviewed by the MNOSHA MNSTAR team, an on-site review will be scheduled. The MNSTAR team's site visit is described in What happens when MNOSHA comes on-site for MNSTAR?

Where can I get more information?

Call MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation at (651) 284-5060 or write to:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation
443 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN  55155-4317