SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE

Consultation Services

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program

• Employees have an illness from an unknown cause.
• Employees are exposed to an agent or working condition that is not regulated by OSHA.
• Employees become ill even though the permissible exposure limit of an agent is not being exceeded.
• The incidence of a particular disease or injury is higher than expected in a group of employees.
• The exposure is to a new or previously unrecognized hazard.
• The hazard seems to result from the combined effects of several agents.

Provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Source: Mendeloff JM, Nelson C, Ko K, Haviland A. Small businesses and workplace fatality risks. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation; 2006.

OSHA's Free On-site Safety and Health Consultation Services

On-site Consultation Program  
Small businesses can get free and confidential on-site advice on workplace safety and health issues through this source. On-site consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. The services include help with:

• Finding hazards
• Choosing injury/illness prevention practices
• Complying with workplace safety and health regulations

SHARP Program
There is also information about a recognition program for small businesses that start exceptional safety and health programs.

OSHA Consultation Services by State 
Click on a state or territory below to go directly to its consultation program website:

Source: Headd B. An Analysis of Small Business and Jobs. Washington, DC: Small Business Administration; 2010.

Manufacturing Consultation

Manufacturing Extension Partnership  
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a nationwide network aimed at assisting small and mid-sized manufacturers in the US. While not specifically devoted to health and safety, many of the innovations described in their "Success Stories" include strategies which improve workplace safety and health. The resources provided to clients are focused on five critical areas:

• Technology acceleration
• Supplier development
• Sustainability
• Workforce
• Continuous improvement

Provided for purchase by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

National Safety Council Consultations

Safety at Work: A Journey to Safety Excellence  
Provides safety information and offers consultation services and other products:

• Employee perception surveys
• Complete assessments
• Risk reduction processes
• Benchmarking and performance measurement
• News from other safety and health sources

Provided by the National Safety Council.