Engineering Extension

Managers of small businesses are aware of the economic impacts of job-related accidents, incidents and illness. They create medical expenses, raise insurance premiums and cause production losses. The growing complexity of materials, manufacturing processes and regulations makes controlling safety and health hazards in the workplace increasingly difficult—and often, increasingly expensive.

Employers in South Dakota who need assistance in identifying and correcting safety and health hazards in the workplace can call for a free, on-site consultation service. Consultation staff assist employers interested in providing safe, healthy and productive work environments. OSHA Consultation is separate from OSHA Enforcement; there are no fines or penalties levied for any safety or health hazards identified during a visit.

An on-site visit by a professional from Engineering Extension can help employers better manage safety and health conditions and reduce costs by improving conditions in the workplace. Since 1981, Engineering Extension has provided a service staffed with well-qualified, OSHA-trained safety and health professionals with many years of experience in industry, government and academia.

• Determination of compliance with OSHA regulations and consensus standards.
• Comprehensive hazard evaluations.
• Job safety analysis.
• Safety program audits.
• Technical program development.
• Assistance with hazard controls.

• Comprehensive hazard evaluations.
• Chemical exposure assessment.
• Technical program audits.
• Noise evaluation and control.
• Evaluation of ventilation systems.
• Determination of compliance with OSHA regulations and consensus standards Indoor air quality investigation.

• Employer must meet eligibility requirements.
• Lower than National Averages for Injury and Illness reporting.
• Strive for continuous improvement with workplace safety and health programs.
• SHARP Award recipients are exempt from OSHA compliance inspections for one to three years.

• Walk-through surveys to assist businesses in achieving in-compliance status with federal regulation and consensus standards.
• Surveys of work practices to pinpoint causes of injuries or illnesses.
• Noise measurements to evaluate noise exposure and assist with hearing conservation.
• Air sampling and analysis to measure contaminants, such as dust, fumes, gases and vapors.
• Evaluation of technical programs, such as lockout/tagout, confined space entry, hazard communication and respiratory protection.
• Assist in developing a written OSHA-mandated program (HAZCOM, lockout/tagout, respiratory protection).
• Confidential written report.
• References to safety and health standards.
• Suggestions and practical solutions for correcting hazards and improving the company’s safety and health programs on-site formal and informal training assistance.