Free on-site safety and health consultation assistance

Using the Department of Labor and Industry's free consultation service, MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation, employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their safety management systems and even apply for a safety grant of up to $10,000 to abate safety hazards. This program targets small, high-hazard businesses. It is completely separate from the OSHA Compliance inspection activities. No citations are issued as part of a consultation visit.

Employers that request this service must commit themselves to correcting serious job safety and health hazards in a timely manner. A telephone call or written request sets the consultation process in motion. Employers may request a complete review of their worksite or limit the visit to one or more specific problems.

The visit consists of an opening conference, a walk-through of the worksite and a closing conference. The employer will receive a written report explaining the consultant's findings and an outline of abatement periods.

Employers benefit in many ways from this free service. Operations can run more efficiently when hazards are identified and corrected. Lost work-time due to injuries and illnesses may decrease, saving money and human resources. Workers' compensation premiums may decrease due to fewer claims and lower experience modification rates.

Services offered:

On-site safety consultation visit
On-site health consultation visit (airborne contaminants, noise, etc.)
Workplace violence prevention on-site assistance
Labor-management safety committee on-site assistance

For more information, contact MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation via e-mail (OSHA.Consultation@state.mn.us) or phone (651) 284-5060, toll-free at 1-800-657-3776.