JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor’s Division of Labor Standards received a national award from OSHA for the creation of the mobile Hazard Lab training exhibit. Missouri was one of only three states to receive this year’s award, along with Indiana and Massachusetts.
“The Department strives to meet the needs of both businesses and workers,” said Julie Gibson, acting Department Director. “By helping businesses recognize and correct workplace hazards, employees gain a safer working environment while businesses potentially lower workers’ compensation rates.”
OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Achievement Recognition (OSCAR) award recognizes state consultation programs each year for outstanding achievements connected with a special project that was not part of the Consultation Annual Project Plan.
The Hazard Lab is designed to educate small businesses and workers on how to identify workplace safety and health hazards. The exhibit includes electrical hazards, machine guarding, hazard communication, compressed air, welding in confined spaces, oxygen-fuel cutting, and forklifts. The exhibit also features construction hazards focusing on scaffolding and construction work zone safety. After completing the walkthrough of the lab, a presentation is provided to discuss each hazard found in the lab, including the identification of specific OSHA standards violated by the observed hazards.
The Hazard Lab exhibit is transported throughout the state to businesses who request the training. Since the beginning of 2013, the Hazard Lab has made five appearances at various venues in Missouri and more than 930 workers have experienced the exhibit since its first appearance in May 2011.
The Missouri On-site Safety and Health Consultation Program offers free and confidential safety and health advice to small and medium-sized businesses across the state, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. Consultants work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. In 2012, Missouri’s On-Site Consultation Program conducted more than 650 visits to small business worksites covering 12,350 workers across the state.
To learn more about the Hazard Lab or to request training for your business, visit www.labor.mo.gov/safe or call 573-522-SAFE.