OSHA Celebrates 50 Years of On-Site Consultation Supporting Small Business Safety
A confidential, cost-free program has helped employers nationwide prevent injuries, cut costs, and build a culture of safety.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- May 28, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its OSHA On-Site Consultation Program, a no-cost, confidential service that has helped thousands of small and medium-sized businesses improve workplace safety and protect employees since its launch in 1975.
The program, now active in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, offers employers direct assistance in identifying hazards, enhancing safety practices, and developing effective health and safety programs—all without initiating OSHA enforcement actions.
“OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program has played a vital role in supporting small businesses for five decades,” the agency said in a statement. “It continues to demonstrate that prioritizing worker safety not only saves lives but also boosts productivity and lowers costs.”
Over the past 10 years, the program has averaged nearly 24,000 worksite visits annually, with 98% occurring at sites employing 250 or fewer workers. According to a 2023 OSHA economic analysis, these efforts prevent exposure to workplace hazards for nearly three million workers each year, generating an estimated $1.5 billion in national benefits, including reduced injuries, lower workers’ compensation costs, and improved operational efficiency.
Among its notable milestones:
- Surpassed 1 million total visits in 2010.
- Assisted with disaster recovery efforts after 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Maria.
- Launched digital tools like the Small Business Handbook app to improve access to safety information.
- Established the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) to recognize small businesses with exemplary safety performance.
SHARP status grants qualifying businesses deferrals from programmed OSHA inspections and recognizes them as industry leaders in workplace safety. Today, approximately 1,000 employers maintain SHARP certification nationwide.
As the program celebrates its legacy, OSHA is reaffirming its commitment to delivering science-based, collaborative solutions that protect workers and empower small businesses to succeed well into the future.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.