Illinois OSHA Releases Updated Small Business Safety and Health Handbook to Promote Safe Workplaces

For Immediate Release – October 25, 2021

SPRINGFIELD – Identifying workplace hazards and how to respond to them are critical to keeping employees safe and healthy on the job. To help businesses achieve those goals, Illinois On-Site Safety and Health is promoting the recently updated Small Business Safety and Health Handbook.

The updated handbook is the result of a collaboration between federal OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The handbook highlights the benefits of implementing an effective safety and health program, which includes a self-inspection checklist for employers and reviews workplace safety and health resources for small businesses.

“Workplace safety is one of the pillars of the mission of the Illinois Department of Labor. It’s incumbent upon employers across the state to take action to protect their workers,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik.

Federal OSHA standards can be confusing and complex. The Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program can help. This no-cost safety and health consultation program is separate from the OSHA inspection effort. Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, employers can learn about potential hazards at their workplace, improve programs that are already in place, and even qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections.

If you have questions about the Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, you can call 800-972-4216, send an email to dol.consultation@illinois.gov or click here: IL On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program

The On-Site Consultation Cooperative Agreement is funded by a federal grant which constitutes ninety percent of the overall budget. Ten percent is financed by state funds.

The Small Business Safety and Health Handbook can be found here: Small Business Handbook