Sept. 28, 2010

A statement from Commissioner Steve Sviggum

Saint Paul -- The following is a statement from Commissioner Steve Sviggum regarding federal OSHA's press release regarding its detailed findings and recommendations for the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Program as a result of a January 2010 audit:

"Recently, 25 state-OSHA programs were audited by federal OSHA. I was pleased that all Minnesota OSHA findings and recommendations were related to paperwork and would not affect the safety and health of Minnesota workers.

As the audit's findings indicate, Minnesota OSHA exceeds federal OSHA's goals and expectations in numerous areas. It is apparent our OSHA staff performs at a high level and that is good news for Minnesota workers and their families.

Results count ... and OSHA's performance continues to make a positive impact to help reduce injury and illness rates in Minnesota."

Minnesota OSHA has resolved all of federal OSHA's findings and recommendations. Federal OSHA's findings and recommendations and Minnesota OSHA's responses can be found online at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/efame/mn_comments_fy09_efame.pdf.

Federal OSHA's press release can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/efame/index.html.

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News media contact:
James Honerman
(651) 284-5313