OSHA's SAFE (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) initiative.
By Michael Harper | 11/16/2025
What Is SHARP?
SHARP stands for Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program, a voluntary OSHA cooperative-program designed to honor smaller worksites that go beyond baseline compliance. Eligibility begins with having a consultation through OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program. Then, the site must correct hazards, implement a safety & health management system (SHMS), and maintain injury and illness rates below industry averages.
Once accepted, recognized sites receive exemption from programmed OSHA inspections for up to 1 - 3 years in many states. Recognition signals to clients, employees, and insurers that your safety program is world-class. Potential cost savings include lower workers’ compensation premiums and reduced inspection disruption.
Who Should Consider SHARP?
SHARP is ideally suited for small to mid-sized employers — generally those with fewer than 250 employees on-site - particularly in higher-hazard sectors such as manufacturing, construction, warehousing, energy, and utilities. It's also an excellent fit for organizations that already have a strong foundation in safety management and want to formalize or enhance their programs.
“Am I Ready?” Quick Checklist
- Have you completed an OSHA On-Site Consultation visit?
- Have all identified hazards been corrected?
- Do you have a documented SHMS (leadership, hazard analysis, control, training, evaluation)?
- Are your injury and illness rates below national averages?
- Are you prepared for a full program review and ongoing evaluation?
Sectors That Shine for SHARP
- Manufacturing & Fabrication
- Construction & Heavy Civil
- Warehousing & Distribution
- Energy / Utilities
- General Industry (Chemical, Food Processing, Metal-working)
How Simple Safety Coach Can Help You Achieve SHARP
Simple Safety Coach provides the tools you need to meet and maintain SHARP requirements with less administrative effort and more actionable insight.
| SHARP Requirement | How Simple Safety Coach Supports It |
|---|---|
| Documented SHMS | Centralized electronic file cabinet, audit/inspection forms, task management, certification tracking, and training management — all elements of a robust SHMS. |
| Hazard & Worksite Analysis | Use reporting dashboards and safety observations to identify trends, document near misses, and analyze root causes for improvement. |
| Up-to-Date Training Documentation | Manage employee training and video content and track certification expirations. |
| Corrective Action & Verification | Task management and inspection libraries ensure hazards are assigned, corrected, and verified — key elements in SHARP audits. |
| SDS Compliance & Risk Control | Safety Data Sheet Management supports chemical-hazard documentation — a major SHARP focus area. |
| Evidence-Ready Reporting | Reporting dashboards export metrics, training matrices, and audit results — perfect for SHARP applications and renewals. |
The Journey to SHARP with Simple Safety Coach
- Baseline Review: Assess your current standing and identify gaps with SSC dashboards.
- Build & Document Your SHMS: Implement training, audits, SDS reviews, and hazard controls within SSC.
- Continuous Monitoring: Capture observations and audits via the mobile app (online/offline).
- Application Readiness: Export evidence and prepare for your OSHA consultation and review.
- Achieve SHARP Recognition: Submit your application, work with your consultant, and maintain your recognition using SSC tools.
Next Steps & Getting Started
- Schedule a demo to see how SSC supports SHARP readiness.
- Request a baseline SHARP-gap assessment using SSC’s Safety Observations and Inspection modules.
- Download our SHARP Readiness Checklist (PDF) to get an initial guage on where your organization stands.
- Start tracking safety metrics today — the sooner you begin, the stronger your SHARP application will be.
Conclusion
Achieving SHARP recognition isn’t just about passing an inspection — it’s about building a sustainable, documented, continuously improving safety and health program. For qualifying employers, SHARP is a badge of excellence, offering inspection exemption and enhancing workforce confidence.
With your commitment and the right tools — like Simple Safety Coach — you can streamline the journey, gather evidence seamlessly, and position your workplace as an industry-leading safe site.
Schedule a demo today and take the first step toward SHARP recognition.